Spring in Gozo is bewitching. The countryside’s enticing with nature’s fresh awakening. If you’re here during the months of March or April, your holiday might also coincide with Holy Week and Easter Celebrations in Gozo. Easter in Gozo can be the bonus of a spring holiday as there many things to do at Easter time.
Easter in Gozo is a special time that has many facets, most of which are evocative of the passion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Holy Week and Easter in Gozo are the biggest Catholic celebrations on the island. Starting a week before Good Friday, Gozo dons a sombre outlook, fitting reverence for the procession of Our Lady of Sorrows that takes place in Victoria and several other villages.
Next comes the jubilation on Palm Sunday, reminiscent of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, another of Gozo’s Easter events. The faithful crowd carrying palm fronds and olive branches is led by priests robed in red. All this is part of Gozo’s Holy Week traditions.
Palm Sunday signals the beginning of the Holy Week in Gozo, a week that commands utmost devotion for the faithful as the Catholic church marks Maudy Thursday and Good Friday. Typically, believers will flock to the liturgical services on these days. On Maudy Thursday, the churches are usually open till late at night. This is a perfect time to wander around Victoria and visit the many but overlooked churches, which will have an artistic representation of Christ’s sepulchre complete with flower displays and fragrant with balm and incense.
These solemn days of Holy Week in Gozo are marked by many religious exhibitions, sacred concerts, pageants, and processions. Witness the deep-rooted devotion of the procession participants who hide their identity behind full-head hoods as they haul heavy ankle chains in penitence or as ex-voto. Experience the flickering candlelit displays on various churches’ parvises on Maudy Thursdays that give a particular ambience to the night.
Holy Week and Easter in Gozo cannot be complete without trudging up Għammar Hill following the white Carrara marble statues presenting the stations of the cross. This hike can be taken as a moment of personal reflection or meditation for both believers and non, alike. There is no doubt that you’ll find the top of the hill charging with an impressive majestic vibe. If you’re in the area in the evening, you can also check out the Drive Through, on the way to Ta’ Pinu. This is only one of the Easter Events in Gozo this year!
Gozo’s Holy Week traditions include various plays featuring the passion of Christ. Easter traditions in Gozo are not all about the dark overtones. Gozo’s Holy Week and Easter traditions have a culinary aspect too. During Lent most dishes revolve around fasting, abstinence and penance. You might want to try out the frugal non-meat dishes like the artichokes stuffed with tuna, olives, garlic and capers. For a quick bite get hold of tuna and spinach pies and ‘qassatat’. Intended to be semi-sweet, ‘Kwareżimal’, hot cross buns and Apostles’ ring are the sugary fares of the season.
The Saturday night Easter vigil service shatters the gloomy tone and once again it’s Easter in Gozo! As the jubilant church celebrates the resurrection with brisk processions of the Risen Christ on Easter Sunday morning, make sure you get hold of traditional Easter figolli from artisanal bakers. Made of sweet pastry and loaded with fragrant sweet almond paste filling, ‘figolli’ are the top of Easter traditions in Gozo. Easter figolli make the perfect gift to take back home!
Easter Sunday in Gozo is best celebrated by a visit to Villa Rundle Gardens and this too is one of the highlights of things to do at Easter in Gozo. A festival of family fun awaits, complete with Easter Bunny egg hunts, arts, crafts and fun games!
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