Celebrating Little Easter in Calabria
Posted on: Apr 5, 2010
For many Christians around the world, the Lenten season has passed, Easter has come and gone and chocolate bunnies and brightly dyed eggs have been hunted and destroyed.
However, here in Italy … the fun continues.
Today is Easter Monday, or Pasquetta as they say in Italian, and I’m gearing up for my first *ever* celebration. Yes, yes, I’ve been in Italy the past four Pasquetta holidays, yet, something always got in the way of my party.
This year, we closed our B&B and my husband promised me the perfect Pasquetta in Calabria.
There is an Italian expression, “Natale con i tuoi, Pasqua con chi vuoi,” which means Christmas with your family, Easter with whoever you want, however, I think it should be “Pasquetta con chi vuoi” … at least here in Calabria.
The truth is, I’m not sure we really have a choice as to whether we celebrate Easter with the family-most Calabrians I know still expect the big family dinner for Easter Sunday and well, since I’m pazza for my little Calabrian father-in-law, I don’t really mind the feast.
The real choice, however, is how to spend Pasquetta.
Normally Calabrians of all ages choose either a mountain or beach theme for their Pasquetta celebration and plan accordingly. Yes, it is too cold to enjoy the beach in the traditional sense, but they head out, either with close friends or family-can’t really get the tuoi out of this group-and enjoy a cookout or picnic.
Weather-permitting, we are heading up to La Sila today to soak in the springtime and enjoy a leisurely lunch in the mountains. Wish you were here … .
Have you ever celebrated Pasquetta? What did you do?
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If you lived in Umbria you wouldn’t be going to no stinking beach today! Even if we had a coast, which we don’t. It’s cold and rainy. My river looks like chocolate milk it’s so full of runoff from the cloudbursts… nubifrage… what a word!
He he…
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We’ll be doing some grilling one way or another…whether it’s Porchville, the garden, or the campagna! Gorgeous day
Sure was!
Michelle | Bleeding Espresso´s last blog ..L’uova di Pasqua: The Italian Easter Egg
I thought it was “Natale con i tuoi, capo d’anno con chi vuoi….”
I don’t know – could be they say both?
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Happy Pasquetta. Wish I were there too!
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