Social+studies

Easter in Switzerland

Like many places around the World easter in Switzerland is becoming very commercialised. While it’s still a religious time it is quickly becoming about Chocolate eggs and bunnies and the famous ‘Easter bunny’.

Legend of how the chocolates get delivered... Just like here in New Zealand there is a legend that the easter bunny delivers the eggs to all the children except in Switzerland the Cuckoo bird delivers them. (the cuckoo bird is that little bird that that pops out on the Cuckoo clocks)

Do different regions of Switzerland have different traditions about easter? Yes. Some traditions include: ‘Zwanzgerle’-An unusual tradition takes place in Zurich (write here where or what it is) on easter monday called Zwanzgerle. Children decorate eggs and then challenge adults to break their eggs with a 20 cent coin. If the adult fails to hit the egg the kid keeps the coin and if the adult breaks the egg they keep the coin and egg.

Weeping women- On good friday in Romont (french speaking area in Fribourg) ‘weeping women’ carry scarlet cushions bearing the symbols of Christs crucifixion- Nails used for the crucifixion, a crown of thorns and the handkerchief St Veronica used to wipe Christs brow. They walk through the streets of Romont carrying these things.

Fountains- in Nyon (near Geneva) the towns fountains are decorated with ribbons, flowers and eggs. This is associated with a German tradition celebrating the melting of the snow and the return of water to the fountains.

Is Easter in switzerland similar to in New Zealand? Yes. The only difference is the Cuckoo delivering the eggs and the celebrations listed above. apart from that we are very similar with our religious views and commercialism.

The food... the food in Switzerland associated with easter include: Osterfladen- Osterfladen is a special easter cake that appears in shop windows only at easter, kind of like hot cross buns here. chocolate-jut like here there’s lots of yummy chocolate bunnies and eggs but there’s also cuckoos and lamb shaped chocolates!

How to make and decorate your own easter eggs

here’s an easy way to decorate some Eggs for easter!

What You Need Eggs Eggcup or carton Dye or artist's acrylic paints White glue Tweezers

Blown Eggs Needles Medium and large straw Small bowl White vinegar Warm water

Preparing the Eggs If you intend to spend a great deal of time creating a design and you want it to last, it is best to use blown eggs (eggs from which the yolks and whites have been removed). Blown eggs will keep indefinitely, if they are completely clean and dry on the inside.

1. Use an egg at room temperature and shake it vigorously so the yolk becomes detached.

2. With a darning needle, make a hole at each end of the egg. Carefully enlarge the hole at the blunt end by breaking off tiny pieces of shell with the point of the needle until the hole is big enough to insert the blunt end of a wooden skewer.

3. Insert the needle through the larger hole and move it about to break up the yolk further. Lean over a bowl and place your lips firmly over the smaller hole. Blow the contents of the egg through the larger hole -- once they start to move they will flow easily.

4. Mix a solution of 1 cup warm water and 1 teaspoon vinegar in a bowl. Immerse the egg until the shell contains 1 to 2 tablespoons of the liquid. Hold your finger and thumb over the holes and shake the egg to wash the inside thoroughly. Then gently blow the solution out of the large hole.

5. With the blunt end facing down, place the egg shell in an eggcup or carton to drain. Do not start decorating the egg shell until the inside of the egg is completely dry.

do what ever you like with them- you can dye them although it would have to be cold water dye if you’re using blown eggs(the method above). You can also paint them with nice little patterns.

in some places they use vegetables to dye them: red and brown onion skin, beetroot, spinach and teas. Reference from-www.rd.com/decorating-easter-eggs /  Inquiry questions How do people celebrate easter in Switzerland? is it similar to easter in New Zealand? What are the legends /tales about easter? Do different regions

I hope you learnt something new and that you liked my wiki!

Inquiry questions How do people celebrate easter in Switzerland? is it similar to easter in New Zealand? What are the legends?tales about easter? Do different regions

I hope you learnt something new and that you liked my wiki!

Many people decorate their A fountain decorated for decorated eggs Osterfladen the Easter cake bush in their garden with Easter in Bischofszell. colured eggs