In
certain parts of the Netherlands an important Easter tradition is the lighting of
a bonfire that has often been weeks or sometimes even months in the building. As
darkness falls on Easter Sunday the paasvuur
are lit, with entire villages coming out for the event.
Our
friend Monique is from Overijssel, one
of the Dutch provinces that celebrate Easter in this manner, and so it came
about that our Easter celebrations this year included an egg hunt/bonfire. Late
on a Saturday afternoon we headed out to the Piedmont for a fun evening with
food, music and time spent with friends.
Once
the dozens of eggs had been found by the eager little hunters (although I’m
sure one or two will show up in the coming weeks…) we settled in to listen to some
live tunes. Angela Easterling shared with us her lovely voice and musical
talent, and the country/folk music kept us entertained until the sun set low in
the sky and it was time to head out to the pasture to light the bonfire.
Monique
explained that the paasvuur were
community events where all generations came together to welcome spring and put
the gloom of winter behind them. I found similarities to the Latvian summer
solstice celebration Jāņi where
bonfires also play an important part in the festivities. When looking into the
origins of the seasonal celebrations by fire I noticed that although the
bonfire probably has pagan roots, it was after Christianity came that it became
a symbol of light and the Resurrection. The correlations between fire/light and
rebirth /resurrection are strong in any case, and with the added connection to
spring and the seasonal reawakening I grew to appreciate the beauty of keeping
with this ancient tradition.
It was
long after the stars came out and the fire started dying down that we started
for home; pleasantly tired from the egg hunt, the smell of wood smoke in our
hair and fingers sticky from the many s’mores consumed. The evening was a great
reminder that sharing culture and traditions with others only makes us all
richer for the experience – thank you to Monique and family for opening their
home to us and bringing a little of the Netherlands to South Carolina!
Thank you for writing this, I love seeing it through your eyes! And oh my gosh, how adorable is that picture of all of them on the bench with the eggs! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for inviting us :)
DeleteNever herad before that the Netherlands make bonfire in Easter. That is new for me! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteIt's only certain regions, but yes, the tradition was new to me also!
DeletePaasvuur sounds sort of like Ūsiņi - the first day Latvians let out the horses and cattle, uncover the beehives, and, of course, celebrate - probably with a campfire!
ReplyDeleteIt does! I think all these holidays have the same roots...
DeleteWho doesn't love a good 'ugunskurs'? :) (Considering I have plenty of first-hand childhood experience with Lauris & Mikus' father and uncle's obsession with fire, then I'm assuming they loved this!!) That is so cool, and yet another great reason to have friends from different backgrounds.
ReplyDeleteRoberts was there poking around as much as the boys! Although I have to admit my obsession with fire isn't that much smaller, I think it stems from all those years in the Latvian girlguides.
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