Sweden

Sweden – a pocket guide 47
churches commemorate
what happened
to Jesus during
the final period
before his crucifixion.
The old tradition
of Lenten fasting
is no longer observed.
The last
Thursday before
Easter is called Maundy Thursday, skärtorsdag, and in the
Churches the theme is the last supper Jesus ate with his disciples.
This is the origin of the celebration of Holy
Communion, in which the congregation shares bread and
wine during the service.
A popular non-Christian tradition of Easter witches,
påskkärringar, is also associated with Maundy Thursday.
You may see children going from house to house in costume,
knocking on doors and saying, “Glad Påsk!” You are
expected to give them sweets or biscuits, or perhaps give
them a coin. The children are dressed as Easter witches,
with long skirts and kerchiefs round their heads. According
to a venerable popular tradition, on Maundy Thursday
witches mounted their broomsticks and flew off to
Blåkulla, a mythical mountain where they would meet on
that day. And that’s why the children dress up the way they
do.
The day after, on Good Friday, långfredagen, Jesus’ death
on the cross is commemorated. Today, the message does
not have the same impact on family life that it had 30–40
years ago. Then, having fun on Good Friday was considered
poor form, and for many children it was a long day
indeed. Good Friday is a public holiday and most people
take the day off work. Many shops are closed.
Photo: Staffan Gustavsson / REDAKTA
On Maundy
Thursday,
children dressed
as “Easter
witches” go from
house to house,
wishing people
a happy Easter.
Householders
thank them by
putting sweets in
their baskets or
coffee pots.
Swedes
and traditions