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Easter in Italy: Traditions, Celebrations, and Holiday Foods with Cecilia Sitran

Easter in Italy: Traditions, Celebrations, and Holiday Foods with Cecilia Sitran


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Can't make this time? A video recording will be sent to all participants after the seminar.

All over Italy, the days leading up to Easter include solemn processions and religious ceremonies, but Pasqua, Easter Sunday, is a joyous celebration marked with an array of rituals, traditions and special foods. Shop shelves are bursting with giant chocolate eggs and families stockpile Colombe di Pasqua (a traditional dove-shaped Easter cake). Join Venice-native Cecila Sitran for a deep-dive into Easter in Italy.

Italians say: "Natale con i tuoi, Pasqua con chi vuoi", which translated, tells us that Christmas must be celebrated with family but for Easter, you can gather with whoever you like. Perfectly illustrating the Italian character which is both deeply rooted in family tradition but also highly social, this motto is well known all over the Bel Paese!

Italians are still predominantly Roman Catholic and Easter, Pasqua, is a very special time of year. By far the most sacred of all Christian holidays, Easter is truly a reason to rejoice. The celebrations start on Good Friday – the day that Jesus was crucified – with elaborate processions, In the Abruzzo region, the Good Friday procession is said to be the oldest in the country and is certainly one of the most moving. Men and children parade through the torch-lit streets of the town, each wearing the colors of their home parish. The most notable Easter celebration in Florence is called "Scoppio del Carro", a tradition that includes an ornate cart, dragged through the streets of the city by several white oxen.

Leading up to Easter, foods such as meat, eggs, butter, and lard are not eaten. When the holiday finally arrives it is an occasion for an abundant and indulgent feast: lamb (symbolizing life) and eggs (symbolizing rebirth) are always part of the celebration, either as part of the Easter lunch or as gifts. Salami with boiled eggs, fresh beans and pecorino, Casatiello (baked into a ring topped with whole eggs) and many more delicious specialties make up the Easter table.

Led by a food expert and certified Sommelier, Cecilia Sitran, this interactive seminar will be focused on the habits and traditions of one of the most important periods of the year in Italy, Easter. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with an increased desire to travel (and taste!) during Easter: an experience not to miss.

After her degree in Economics of Art and Culture at the University of Venice, Cecilia Sitran studied for two years to obtain her diploma of Sommelier. She has worked in one of the most prestigious wine shops in Venice. She has also completed a master's in the South of France on organic wines. As a freelance sommelier, she shares her Venetian roots while tasting local wines surrounded by the beauty of Venice. She teaches cooking courses in Venice that combine fresh ingredients and wine aromas. In 2020 Cecilia studied for the globally recognized Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Level 2, successfully passed with distinction. At present Cecilia leads wine courses for few American Military bases in Italy.

This conversation is suitable for all ages.

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 4 reviews
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(4)
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J
Julie Jackson (Montclair, US)
A lovely Easter weekend class

Cecilia is a wonderful teacher about Easter traditions in her native Italy. She was able to take us on a tour that covered most every region of Italy and the rich ways in which Easter is celebrated throughout the country. While the class moved very quickly, it never felt rushed. She also kindly provided the class with her own family recipes for some Easter dishes.
A class with Cecilia will make you look forward to your next trip to Italy, and maybe even an in-person tour with her!

S
Stratis Sapuntzakis
Italy- Easter Traditions

Very Good presentation of the Italian Easter Traditions including food, breads and pastries.

S
Susan Haddad (Charleston, US)
Easter in Italy

Wonderful!!

L
Lucy H (Hatfield, GB)
Very enjoyable Easter seminar

Very nice to spend Easter Saturday learning about the colourful and curious traditions and typical foods of Italian Easter. Very personable presenter. I enjoyed it.

Customer Reviews

Based on 4 reviews
100%
(4)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
J
Julie Jackson (Montclair, US)
A lovely Easter weekend class

Cecilia is a wonderful teacher about Easter traditions in her native Italy. She was able to take us on a tour that covered most every region of Italy and the rich ways in which Easter is celebrated throughout the country. While the class moved very quickly, it never felt rushed. She also kindly provided the class with her own family recipes for some Easter dishes.
A class with Cecilia will make you look forward to your next trip to Italy, and maybe even an in-person tour with her!

S
Stratis Sapuntzakis
Italy- Easter Traditions

Very Good presentation of the Italian Easter Traditions including food, breads and pastries.

S
Susan Haddad (Charleston, US)
Easter in Italy

Wonderful!!

L
Lucy H (Hatfield, GB)
Very enjoyable Easter seminar

Very nice to spend Easter Saturday learning about the colourful and curious traditions and typical foods of Italian Easter. Very personable presenter. I enjoyed it.