Dutch tradition, having holy days twice; Christmas, Easter and Pentecost all result in two days off. In recent years pressure is building to transfer these second days to other religions. For now, 2nd Easter day is generally considered to be the day the Dutch go shopping for furniture.
On this day Jesus’ resurrection is celebrated, first of all by jubilant ringing of all church bells, Maastricht’s largest bell Grameer to be heard all over town. Apart from the festive Mass, there is happy stuff with chocolate bunnies and searching for hidden eggs.
On this day Christianity remembers Jesus’ suffering and death, with solemn readings of the gospel in churches. Traditionally, all public life would pause around 15 hrs, assumed to be the time of his death, but this is no longer the case.
The Thursday before Easter is marked in Christianity as the day Jesus shared a last meal with his disciples. In doing so, he started the celebration of the Eucharist, sharing bread and wine to remember him, still part of every mass today. Represented a thousand times in art history, most people nowadays no longer mark this day.
For 𝗣𝗮𝗹𝗺 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆 it is customary to make a ‘tree’ – also a tradition with pagan roots – which each element now a symbol of the christian faith. These are brought to the old and infirm, but ofcourse you can enjoy the special bread rooster and the chocolate eggs at home!
Maastricht Calendar Since café’s are still in their Carnaval garb the publicans will have a day of celebrating themselves, after the hard slog of Carnaval, before all the decorations are taken down, until next year…
Maastricht Calendar OK, officially the drill is you first go to church, attend Mass and receive a little cross of ashes on your forehead – it is the first day of Lent, the 40 day period of fasting and introspection preceding Easter.
Maastricht Calendar The day of the ‘Drunk Bands’, starting off at 11.45 hrs with a collective concert at their monument on the Vrijthof, followed by concerts all around the centre.
Maastricht Calendar At 14.22 hrs the ‘Family Parade’ starts in Wyck, with the Prince first, so he can applaud all the children when they file past him on the Vrijthof. Again, happily disorderly, but enchantingly colourful. Evening – same recipe; drift about the centre, find the music you like, have a beer or not, watch the happy chaos.