Easter is a popular Christian holiday and even the Czech republic is rather an atheist country, we do celebrate it and we have many unique customs. Velikonoce (Easter) comes from the expression velká noc meaning “great night” after the day in which Jesus Christ rose from the dead. On Easter Monday, it is traditional for boys and men to chase girls and women around and “hit them with wooden whips” (pomlázka) (GENTLY) to wish them luck and fertility. In return, the females give them decorated eggs, plum brandy, candy, ribbons for their whips and even money. The hand-painted or otherwise decorated egg (kraslice) is the most recognizable symbol of Czech Easter. There are many Easter egg decorating techniques such as bee’s wax, straw, watercolors, onion peels, picture stickers. There are no limitations to creating pretty, colourful eggs. Please note there are no lectures or seminars from Friday 15th to Monday 18th of April. More links:

• www.english.radio.cz
• www.myczechrepublic.cz