Easter is great occasion of celebration in Hungary . Easter is observed as the two days holidays in this nation. Hungarian people celebrate Easter according to the rituals of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Easter festivities in Hungary begin with observing the Great Fast (nagyböjt) that is Lent. During Lent, people abstain from meat. For this reason, meat abandoning Tuesday which is called húshagyó kedd is observed. It falls a day before Ash Wednesday.
On Holy Saturday that is Easter Saturday, people start gathering at the church for resurrection ceremonies at midnight. Then after church service, devotees take out a procession through the parish, carrying a statue of Christ, religious banners and singing hymns.
People take their food to the church on Holy Saturday or Nagyszombat to get it blessed by clergy. These food baskets contain red eggs, kalacs, and salt. This blessed food is eaten in the Easter dinner after the resurrection ceremonies are over.
There is another very interesting tradition in Hungary which is still followed in small towns and villages. On Ducking Monday or the Easter Monday, boys sprinkle water or perfume over the girls. In earlier times, young boys used to sprinkle water over the girls and each time they pour water, girls change their dresses. But today boys sprinkle perfume or cologne instead of water and ask for a red egg and a kiss.
In Mohacs district in Hungary , there is unique spectacular Busojaras which means walk of the busos, legendary monsters. In this procession, men wear monster like frightening masks and make great noise by shouting and banging on tins and dishes. These men parade through all over the village. There is a local legend that once villagers scared away the Turks by wearing these kind of frightening monster masks.
Another fascinating aspect of Easter festivities in Hungary is devoting a day for playing mischief. This day is called Locsolkodás’. On this day poems are recited and songs are played and other activities are held. In the capital of Hungary , Budapest , many cultural events and fairs are organized on the Easter time.
