Preparing for Easter in Ukraine begins in advance, when they observe a long Lent. 😊
The last week before Easter was called Bela - during this week they cleaned the house, washed all surfaces and decorated the house with embroidered towels. On Maundy Thursday before Easter, the whole family washed. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
For Easter in Ukraine they prepare ritual pastries - Easter cakes. More eggs are added to Easter cakes so that the dough is saturated yellow - this symbolizes the Sun. From above, the Easter cake was decorated with figures of birds and flowers, which meant spring and fertility. 🕊
Another symbol of Easter in Ukraine is the willow. Branches and willows are brought into the house for Palm Week, and then they decorate the house with them for Easter. Why willow? The fact is that when Jesus entered Jerusalem, the locals greeted him by throwing palm branches on the road. Since palm trees do not grow in Ukraine, they were replaced by willows. 🌷
The third well-known symbol of Easter is eggs. Painted and painted eggs symbolize life, the sun and resurrection.
On Easter day itself, it is customary to collect various products, Easter cakes and eggs in a basket. The whole family goes to church for worship and sanctifies food there. Then at home the whole family sits down at the festive table, and the meal always begins with an Easter egg. For dessert, eat Easter cakes. 😇