Pasqua in Italy

The most celebrated holiday in Italy (after Christmas, of course) is Pasqua, the Italian word for “Easter”.
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The word “pasqua” is derived from the ecclesiastical Latin word “Pascha,” which in turn comes from the Greek “Pascha” and the​  Hebrew”Pesah”. Pesah was the holiday which celebrated the liberation of the people of Israel from the slavery in Egypt and coincided with the Christian holiday, it means“Passover.”​ ​

​Despite the common phrase​ “Natale con i tuoi, Pasqua con chi vuoi”​ (Christmas with your family, Easter with whoever you want),​ Easter Sunday is usually spent with family, while Easter Monday, or​ “Pasquetta”​ (little Easter),​ is spent with friends.

​The story of the Easter Bunny is thought to have become common in the 17th Century.​ Rabbits usually give birth to a big litter of babies (called kittens), so they became a symbol of new life.​

Legend has it that the Easter Bunny lays, decorates and hides eggs as they are also a symbol of new life.​ This is why some children might enjoy Easter egg hunts as part of the festival.

​While Italy offers many traditional Easter breads, the best-known by far is the Colomba. Similar in taste to the renowned panettone, this dove-shaped loaf, which is also meant to symbolize hope, is a native of northern Italy, but​  Colomba is made with sweet candied oranges and Italian honey, perfect as a gift or a centerpiece for the Easter table.​

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