Easter Sunday in Estonia, like in other Christian countries, is a significant holiday filled with traditional practices and customs. It is celebrated as the day Jesus Christ resurrected from the dead, according to Christian belief. Since the majority of the Estonian population is Lutheran, Easter Sunday is a national holiday and it holds religious significance for the believers.
Easter Sunday in Estonia isn't just of religious significance, it is also celebrated as a spring holiday. The arrival of spring is celebrated with delightful traditions, some of which pre-date Christian influence. One is the swinging ritual, where large swings are set up in villages and everyone, regardless their age, would get a turn. Swinging is believed to chase away the lingering winter spirits and bring good luck.
Another important tradition is the egg painting and rolling. Families gather to paint eggs using natural dyes derived from plants. Once the eggs are painted, they're rolled in grass to symbolize the movement of the Sun. Easter Sunday is a truly unique celebration in Estonia, blending together Christian, pagan and local customs to make it a day of unity, joy, and new beginnings.