AN ALTERNATIVE WAY TO CELEBRATE EASTER

Hey, I am Ana, usually a student in Bucharest, at ASE REI, but this semester I am in an Erasmus mobility on the gorgeous island of Tenerife in Spain. I love travelling, learning new languages, reading, spending time outdoors, especially in nature.

    I can say that between Romania and Spain, especially Tenerife, there are quite a lot of cultural differences. Regarding Easter, the Spaniards have a very interesting vision about its celebration. The week before Easter it’s called Semana Santa (Holy Week) and Catholics in Spain celebrate through traditions that commemorate the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Each day of Holy Week has its special traditions, like processions on the streets, bringing olive branches to church, create spectacular alfombras, or rug-like displays made with flowers, in the street, and many more.

   Although Easter is a holiday originally considered the most important event of Christianity, it can be celebrated and felt in many ways.

   Traditionally, Easter is represented by going to church, Spring cleaning, guests and time spent together at a table full of goodies prepared by mother and grandmother. Easter has no charm without the delicious aroma of freshly baked cozonac coming from the kitchen and spreading throughout the house.

   Every year I used to hold on to the Easter traditions of going to church, preparing the Easter meal, dyeing eggs and making cozonac, to feel part of the celebration. But this year I am an Erasmus student and I realized that Easter is about inner peace, thoughts of gratitude, about loving and caring for yourself, about doing an activity that truly brings joy to your soul and gives you freedom to be yourself. It's somehow relaxing to let go of the big holiday preparations, so you can enjoy the feeling of living, of feeling refreshed and free of any worries, instead of feeling overwhelmed with preparations. It's important to be able to take a moment for yourself to create some inner peace.

   As a final thought, I think it's important to detach ourselves from the socially imposed norms that can often take us away from the essence of a holiday and end up feeling overwhelmed. It is great to have the courage to celebrate Easter in the way our soul asks us to.

   Written by Ana Carolina Todor