Easter in Denmark

Easter is a time to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the arrival of spring. The holy occasion is observed with great significance by Christians all over the world. On this holy holiday, people are engaged in partying, decorating, feasting, exchanging Easter gifts and attending church services. Easter is one of the longest holiday and the most important festival after Christmas in Denmark. Easter Sunday is known as Påske in Denmark. Easter celebrations last for seven days as shops and businesses are closed on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Monday. It is, moreover, an occasion of celebration and fun for the Danes. Read on further to know more about Easter traditions and celebrations in Denmark.

Easter Celebrations In Denmark
For the Danes, preparations for Easter begin soon after Christmas and New Year festivities are over. Stores and shops are filled with various Easter decorations and cards, thereby ending the cold and dark Scandinavian winter. The occasion is celebrated with colorful traditions as a part of the national heritage of Denmark. People attend special services in the church to commemorate Jesus Christ's resurrection. Evangelical Lutheran Church is the national church and the largest Christian church of Denmark. Easter decorations are marked by eggs, daffodils and other symbols of new life and spring, such as chicks and lambs. The most popular gift exchanges amongst family and friends in Denmark are the Easter eggs.

The Danish families gather at one table to feast on a festive lunch. The table is well-decorated using bright colors, such as green and yellow spring colors. Decorations like Easter bunnies, lamb dolls (påskelam), colored eggs (påskeæg), and small bouquets of tulips or daffodils (påskeliljer) are used. The traditional Easter food usually consists of pickled herring, hard-boiled eggs, shrimps, tuna, lamb, eggs and chicken. A cheese buffet is also served consisting of grapes, red pepper and biscuits. The luxurious meal is accompanied by Scandinavian liquor called snaps, Easter brew and other special beers. As for desserts, you can find a number of delicious and lip-smacking cakes and other desserts being served.

A unique Easter tradition followed in Denmark is the custom of sending teasing letters or 'gækkebrev'. These letters are highly decorated with short poems or verses and send out in mid-February. They are signed only by dots corresponding to the number of letters in the sender's name. The key to this letter is to guess the name of the sender. In case the receiver makes the right guess, he/she receives a chocolate Easter egg and if the receiver fails to guess it correctly, he/she has to give an Easter egg to the sender. The long weekend gives the Danish people a great opportunity to plan out holidays to weekend getaways. The festival of Easter gives the country a chance to indulge in fun, tricks and delicious feasting.