Pääsiäinen: A Guide to Easter in Finland – Traditions, Symbols, and Foods
Easter is one of the most important Christian celebrations in Finland, honoring the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the victory of life over death. While deeply rooted in religious tradition, Easter in Finland also has unique cultural elements and has become an important family celebration, often coinciding with the start of spring.
Why Is Easter an Official Holiday in Finland?
Finland is historically a Christian country, with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland and the Finnish Orthodox Church being the two national churches. Even though religious affiliation has declined in recent decades, Christianity still has a significant role in Finland’s culture, traditions, and public holidays. Easter is celebrated as an official public holiday in Finland due to its historical and religious importance. Easter includes the following public holidays, recognized by Finnish labor laws:
- Good Friday (pitkäperjantai): A solemn day marking the crucifixion of Jesus.
- Easter Sunday (pääsiäispäivä): Celebration of the resurrection of Christ.
- Easter Monday (toinen pääsiäispäivä): An additional holiday observed in many European countries.
Even for non-religious Finns, Easter remains an important national holiday, offering a long weekend for rest, family time, and seasonal traditions.
Important Dates of the Easter Season
Easter celebrations in Finland follow a well-established timeline. These are the most important dates and their meaning:
- Lent (Paastonaika) begins seven weeks before Easter with Ash Wednesday. This period serves as a time of spiritual preparation through self-reflection, simplification, and focusing on essential aspects of faith.
- Holy Week (Hiljainen Viikko) marks the final days leading to Easter:
- Palm Sunday (Palmusunnuntai): Celebrates Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. In Finland, children dressed as Easter witches go door-to-door offering decorated willow branches in exchange for treats, a tradition called virpominen.
- Maundy Thursday (Kiirastorstai): Remembers the Last Supper and institution of the Eucharist.
- Good Friday (Pitkäperjantai): A solemn day marking Jesus’ crucifixion, observed with quiet reflection and religious services.
- Holy Saturday (Hiljainen Lauantai): A day of waiting, representing the day Jesus rested in the tomb.
- Easter Sunday (Pääsiäispäivä): Celebrates the resurrection, with churches decorated in white and Easter lilies symbolizing joy and new life.
- Second Day of Easter: Remembers Jesus appearing to his followers, including the Emmaus road encounter.
Easter dates vary each year because they are determined by the lunar calendar, specifically falling on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox. As a result, Easter Sunday in 2025 will be on April 20.
The Most Important Finnish Easter Symbols
Easter is rich in symbolism, with various elements representing themes of renewal, resurrection, and the victory of life over death. These symbols help pass down Christian traditions across generations, making Easter a meaningful celebration for both the faithful and those who appreciate the cultural aspects of these festive customs.
Easter Eggs: A Symbol of New Life
The Easter egg is perhaps the most widespread symbol of Easter. They represent new life and the hope of resurrection. The unbroken eggshell symbolizes the tomb of Jesus, while the cracked shell represents the moment when the stone was rolled away from the grave, marking the resurrection. Giving decorated eggs is a way of sharing beauty, hope, and faith in new beginnings.
Easter Witches – A Battle of Good and Evil
The unique Finnish tradition called virpominen sees children transform into Easter witches (pääsiäisnoidat or trullit), venturing door-to-door with decorated willow branches. This custom combines Christian and folk beliefs and is a reminder of the eternal struggle between good and evil. According to tradition, these witches and trolls symbolize the forces of chaos that were believed to roam freely while Jesus was in the tomb.
Easter Bunnies – A Messenger of Spring and Joy
Although the Easter Bunny is not originally a Finnish tradition, it has become popular due to European influences. The rabbit brings chocolate eggs and hides them in gardens, directing minds toward the wonder of life. Like many Easter symbols, bunnies connect to themes of fertility and new beginnings.
Easter Colors – White, Yellow, Green, and Purple
Colors play an important role in Easter celebrations:
- White symbolizes purity, resurrection, and the joy of Easter Sunday.
- Yellow, seen in daffodils and Easter chicks, represents new life and the light of Christ.
- Green stands for hope and growth, reflecting the renewal of both nature and faith.
- Purple, used during Lent, signifies penance and preparation for Easter.
On Easter night, the liturgical color shifts from purple to white, marking the transition from sorrow to celebration.
Easter Grass – A Symbol of Growth and Renewal
Growing rairuoho (Easter grass) is a popular tradition in Finland. Planted in early spring, it represents the renewal of life, the arrival of warmer days, and the hope that follows the resurrection.
Traditional Easter Foods in Finland
In Finland, the Easter table is a celebration of spring’s arrival! Traditional dishes and seasonal flavors come together to create a feast that honors both ancient customs and modern recipes While some families maintain strictly traditional menus, others embrace Easter as the perfect opportunity to open the grilling season. Here are the most common Easter foods enjoyed in Finland:
1. Mämmi
A dark, rye-based pudding made from water, rye flour, and malt, mämmi has been a staple of Finnish Easter traditions for centuries. Though its appearance may be, let’s say, unusual, it boasts a rich, sweet, and slightly malty flavor. Traditionally eaten cold with cream and sugar (or vanilla sauce), it is an Easter must-try.
2. Pasha
Pasha is a rich dessert of Russian origin, made from quark, butter, eggs, sugar, and spices such as vanilla and cardamom. It is often shaped like a pyramid and decorated with dried fruits and nuts. Pasha is typically served with kulitsa, a sweet Easter bread, in Orthodox Easter celebrations.
3. Easter Lamb
Lamb is a traditional Easter main course in Finland, representing sacrifice and renewal. It is usually roasted in the oven with garlic and herbs or slow-cooked into a hearty lamb stew. Some also prepare grilled lamb as part of the early barbecue season.
4. Easter Eggs
Decorated eggs, both real and chocolate, are an essential part of Finnish Easter. Real eggs are often boiled and decorated, while chocolate eggs are popular among children.
5. Fresh Spring Salads
Easter signals the arrival of spring, and many Finns serve fresh salads made with leafy greens, cucumbers, tomatoes, radishes, and herbs. These add a refreshing contrast to the heavier dishes.
6. Chocolate and Sweets
Apart from chocolate eggs, Mignon eggs (the famous chocolate-filled eggshells made by Fazer) are a unique Finnish Easter treat. Many families also enjoy chocolate bunnies, marzipan, and fruit-flavored candies.
Celebrating Easter like the Finns
Easter in Finland is a blend of religious observance and joyful springtime celebration. As the snow begins to melt and temperatures rise, Finns celebrate the holiday both as a sacred Christian commemoration and as a welcome to the returning light and warmth.
Religious Traditions
For many Finns, Easter maintains its religious significance. Churches across the country hold special services during Holy Week, with Good Friday (Pitkäperjantai) observances being particularly solemn. Easter Sunday then brings joyful celebrations of resurrection, with churches adorned in white and filled with spring flowers. Some families attend services together as part of their Easter tradition.
Virpominen
The best way to celebrate Easter with kids in Finland is to take part in virpominen, the unique Finnish tradition where children dress as Easter witches and go door-to-door offering decorated willow branches in exchange for treats. The decorated branches symbolize blessings for health and happiness, while the witch costumes originate from old beliefs that evil spirits roamed freely before Easter. Families often prepare for virpominen together by decorating willow branches with feathers, ribbons, and colorful paper, and practicing the traditional rhyme:
“Virvon, varvon, tuoreeks terveeks, tulevaks vuodeks; vitsa sulle, palkka mulle!”
(“I wave a twig for a fresh and healthy year ahead; a branch for you, a treat for me!”)
Springtime Traditions and Outdoor Activities
As Easter coincides with the arrival of spring, many Finns take the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. Families may plant Easter grass (rairuoho) as a symbol of new life, decorate their homes with yellow daffodils and Easter eggs, or go on Easter egg hunts with children. If the weather allows, Finns also take advantage of the long weekend to visit their summer cottages, go skiing in Lapland, or take nature walks to welcome the season’s renewal.
Easter Meals and Family Gatherings
Easter in Finland is a time for family reunions, where loved ones come together to share a special meal and celebrate the season of renewal. For many, it is a deeply religious holiday, while for others, it is a cherished opportunity to simply enjoy time with family and friends. The long Easter weekend allows for relaxed gatherings, where homes are decorated with spring flowers and festive colors.
Easter in Finland is a blend of Christian traditions, folk customs, and joyful spring celebrations. Whether it’s attending church, enjoying a family feast, watching children dressed as witches, or embracing the fresh air of the changing season, Easter is a time of renewal, joy, and togetherness for Finns of all backgrounds.
