European Spring Traditions
Across Europe, the first hints of spring are emerging. With warmer weather and lighter evenings, the appeal of European destinations is growing. Across the continent there are a number of quirky, entertaining and sometimes fascinating spring traditions that provide the backdrop for a great holiday.
Prague and the Czech Republic
The Prague Easter Market, 1st to 23rd April
Our Prague city apartment, housed in a historic 14th-century building, is the perfect location to explore the springtime customs unique to this part of the world. The Prague Easter Market showcases the traditional Czech Easter and is held in Wenceslas Square and the The Old Town Square every day over the period. Brightly decorated wooden huts are filled with handmade crafts, like glassware, jewellery and wooden toys, while local Czech specialities like klobása and Trdelník are served.
Colourful, hand-painted Easter eggs are the most common sight here, with women in traditional clothing and wielding paintbrushes personalising them with your name should you ask.
The Burning of the Witches, April 30th
One of the more curious of Europe's spring traditions, The Burning of the Witches (or "Pálení carodejnic") is an unusual but entertaining experience. The ritual grew out of the old belief that a witch's power wanes with warmer weather, so in order to hurry summer along Czech's burn effigies of a witch to mark the occasion. People gather to build bonfires, and the residents of Prague create a procession complete with a witch, Lucifer and plenty of eye-catching costumes. Celebrate with the locals and enjoy the convivial atmosphere and fire lit spectacle of the occasion.
Day for Love, May 1st
Valentines isn't the only day for romance in Prague. On May 1st couples gather at the statue of Karel Hynek Mácha - the Czech Romantic "poet of love" - in tribute to the writer and their feelings for each other. Karel Hynek Mácha wrote a masterpiece of Czech literature, an epic poem called Máj (May) on the subject of tragic love.
Located in Prague's Petřín Park, a hill which stands above the left bank of the Vltava River, sweethearts lay flowers by the statue and appreciate the flowering cherry trees.
France
The Silencing of the Bells, Good Friday
As a historically Christian country, France is scattered with churches and their bell towers. On Good Friday, however, the bells remain silent in acknowledgement of Jesus' death. From this has grown the legend that on Maundy Thursday all the bells "fly to Rome", leaving the country eerily quite. Then on Sunday, they fly back filled with treats and Easter eggs, scattering them everywhere for children to find.
Mardi Gras, the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday
Mardi Gras, which translates to "Fat Tuesday", is famously celebrated in New Orleans and Rio de Janeiro, but it actually originated in France. The event takes place the day before Lent, where people traditionally give up something they like (such as chocolate or wine), and represents a final blowout before weeks of self-restraint. The celebrations in Nice include parades, fireworks, masked balls and general excess, and are by all accounts thoroughly enjoyable.
England
Spring Equinox, Stonehenge, March 20th.
Just under two hours drive from London is one of England's most famous sights, the ancient monument of Stonehenge. Believed to be around 5,000 years old, it's an archaeologically fascinating place and the centre of the islands ancient religion, remaining significant in the minds of British residents even after the conversion to Christianity.
There aren't many practising pagans left in England, but many residents feel an affinity with the paganistic past and enjoy some of the rituals believed to have been practised by their ancestors. This includes the Spring, Summer and Winter equinox, where spectators and sincere believers welcome the sunrise at the stones.
May Day Rituals, May 1st.
May Day traditions across Britain welcome the imminent arrival of summer. These include children dancing around a May Pole, a tall wooden pole placed at folk festivals and decorated with long ribbons. Each child takes a ribbon and skips around the pole to weave the colourful fabric. Morris dancers will also perform, and in villages a "May Queen" will be crowned.
Usually you'd have to head out of London to more traditional rural communities to witness these celebrations, but in London you may be able to spot the Jack in the Green: a tower of greenery made from garlands and flowers. The Jack in the Green is carried around London by enthusiasts dressed in folk costumes, with similar rituals throughout the country.
Hobby Horse Day, May 1st.
On the same day you could head to Padstow, home of celebrity chef Rick Stein's famous restaurant (and various other Michelin-starred and fine dining options). Cornwall is well worth a visit despite its distance from London, with a stunning coast and its own unique culture. Celebrations for Hobby Horse Day start at the stroke of midnight and the singing of the May Song outside the Golden Lion Inn begins. At 10am, a horse shaped construction with curtained body dances through the streets of Padstow.
Other Highlights
Switzerland, Sechseläuten, the third Monday in April.
In Switzerland, people gather to burn "Winter", a paper snowman that's filled with fireworks - which adds some extra excitement to the traditional bonfire.
Corfu, Pottery Smashing, Easter Saturday.
A custom which derives from the Venetian tradition of throwing old possessions out of the window on New Year's Day, at 11am on Easter Sunday the residents of Corfu start tipping pottery out from their windows. One local tip to make the event as raucous as possible is to fill the pots with water before hurling them from the window - it makes much more noise.
Italy, Scoppio del Carro, Easter Sunday
Florence is a great city in the spring, and one the most impressive sights is the Scoppio del Carro, or "explosion of the cart". This spectacle involves a 30-foot tall antique cart filled with fireworks that's ignited by the archbishop through a fuse. The 20-minute display is supposed to guarantee a good harvest and good business for the upcoming year.
