Ash Wednesday signals the beginning of the Lent period for Christians, and just 6 weeks before Easter. In the past 10 centuries, many cultures have evolved different traditions to mark the beginning of this Lent period.
Read on to find out about the fun foods and traditions that take place for Lent celebraitons all over the world.
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In Poland, pączki (filled donuts) and faworki (sweet crispy deep fried pastries) are usually eaten on the Thursday before Lent. It is also traditional to eat pickled herring with vodka that day. |
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In Estonia and Finland, many people go out and get haircuts! It is said that cutting your hair on this day will cause your hair to grow faster and thicker for next year. This day is associated with family time and activities: eating split pea and ham soup, sledding, and etc. |
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In Lithuania the day is called Uzgavėnės and many pancakes (blynai) and Lithuanian style doughnuts (spurgos) are eaten. |
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In Hawaii, this day has been known as Malasada Day since the 1800’s. To use up the sugar and butter, large batches of malasada (Portuguese Doughnuts) would be made and shared with family, friends, and co workers. |
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In Sweden they eat the traditional Swedish dessert: semla (also called fastlagsbulle), a sweet bun filled with almond paste and whipped cream, served with hot milk. Today, semlas are available every day from Christmas to Easter. |
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In the Philippines the pancake-like treat, bibingka, is made. Bibingka is made from rice flour and topped with white cheese, butter, sugar, salted duck’s egg, and coconut. It is baked on hot coals in a clay pot lined with a banana leaf. It is usually served with a ginger tea. |
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Eastern Canada, Ireland, Australia, and the United Kingdom, Pancake Day is celebrated. One ritual is that small household items like rings, coins, and thimbles are baked into the pancakes. Whoever finds the coin will be rich, whoever finds the ring will be soon married, the one that finds the thimble will be a seamstress, and etc. Read our “Celebrate Pancake Day!” article for more! |
From us at tripatlas.com/new to you – have a safe and joyous festival period!