Easter Monday in the Czech Republic: Between Tradition and Change

Between lived tradition and modern habits: Easter Monday in the Czech Republic traditionally stands for old customs – yet not all of them are still practised.

Easter Monday in the Czech Republic traditionally marks the highlight of the Easter holidays and is characterised by folk customs that symbolically mark the end of winter and the beginning of spring.

On Easter Monday, boys and men go from house to house and symbolically “whip” girls and women with a rod known as a “pomlázka”. According to tradition, this “whipping” is meant to bring women beauty and freshness throughout the year. In return, the so-called “koledníci” receive decorated eggs, ribbons for the rod, sweets or – in the case of adults – alcohol.

Foto: CzechTourism

In recent years, a lively debate about the pomlázka has regularly flared up ahead of Easter. According to a survey by the agency NMS Market Research from last year, one in four women in the Czech Republic has already suffered bruises or other marks in connection with being struck with the pomlázka. 44 per cent of women report pain, and 19 per cent report feelings of helplessness or humiliation. However, the study also shows that more than half of men do not like this custom, and more than a fifth even avoid it.

That said, some of the customs remain widespread: a large part of the population dyes eggs and bakes traditional pastries such as a mazanec (Easter bread) or a lamb-shaped cake. Many decorate their homes and spend the holidays with family or friends.

Easter Monday also marks the end of the holidays: for schoolchildren, the Easter break comes to an end, and for working people, a long weekend concludes. Increased traffic is therefore expected on the roads.