In many countries, the decoration of eggs is a central element to festivities. In North America, Easter eggs are decorated and then hidden for children to find. Here in Hungary, Easter is celebrated in much the same way as in other countries: the Easter bunny brings baskets of chocolates and other goodies, Easter eggs are decorated, hidden, hunted and found, shop windows are filled with bunnies, chicks and flowers.
The tradition is for boys and men to sprinkle perfume or perfumed water on girls in exchange for an Easter egg.
But this being Hungary, there are a few twists. Hungary’s tradition of egg-decorating dates back more than 1,000 years, since painted eggs were found in tombs dating back before the area was settled by the Magyars in about 895. Eggs are exquisitely decorated with unusual techniques, from wax writing to etching out designs with tiny tools. The holiday offers lots of opportunities to see this art form, give both kids and adults a chance to try their hand at it, and buy eggs as gifts.
If you’re already a fan of gorgeous Hungarian eggs, take a trip south toward Pécs to visit the “Arts on Eggs” collection at the museum in Zengővárkony, where 3,000 eggs from 19 countries, including China and Israel, are on display. During Easter Week, egg artists, often older women who learned the craft from earlier generations, conduct demonstrations all day long. See www.tojasmuzeum.ini.hu for more information. There’s another egg museum in Siófok, on the shore of Lake Balaton – see our program recommendations for details.
Another Hungarian Easter tradition is the locsolás, in which boys and young men honor the girls and young women in a village by “watering” them, like flowers. This once meant the poor girls were dunked in a river, or had a bucket of cold water dumped on their heads. Luckily, the tradition has evolved into a ritual “spraying” of perfume on the girl while the boy recites a rhyme celebrating flowers or fertility. Girls must present a gift in return, traditionally a red Easter egg, and today a chocolate one will do.
Although Easter is quite early this year, the holiday in Hungary usually brings warm weather and sunshine, a great time to get outside with the kids and discover budding daffodils, hyacinths and cherry trees. Margaret Island is a good place to start, at the Margaret Bridge end with the vast playground on the left as you start onto the island’s main road. Or organize your own Easter egg hunt and picnic on the island!
