Easter

Prague looks so pretty with all of its Easter decorations. With it's deep Catholic roots, the city observes Easter largely as a cultural holiday. There are eggs and stuffed baby chicks and bunnies in every shop window. In Old Towne Square there is a big Easter Market. There are rows and rows of little wooden kiosks that sell beautiful painted eggs, gingerbread cookies, cinnamon-type rolls, wooden toys, jewelry, etc. There is a big tree in the center of the square that is decorated with big Easter eggs. My photo does not do it justice :)

There is a tradition, still observed by the children, where the boys chase and hit the girls with wooden sticks decorated with colored ribbon. When the boys catch up a girl, she gives him chocolate eggs. And apparently, may throw water on him. It sounds really different than how we celebrate in the States! I talked to a Czech girl in college at Sunny's Bible study last night and she said her Dad and brother still wake her up on the Monday after Easter by hitting her with those sticks and then she gives them chocolate eggs. You can buy those sticks in the Easter market. I think it's rooted in some sort of fertility ritual (?)