ARE YOU READY FOR AN EASTER EGG HUNT?

Celebrating renewal and rebirth, Easter is the oldest and most important Christian festival. It is recognised all over the world, and not always with religious reverence.

In France, for example, church bells stop ringing from Easter Thursday to Sunday, when French kids are jokingly told that they should ‘fly’ to Rome to learn about Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the Pope himself. While in the USA, we have a record-breaking event, known as Easter Egg Roll – a race where children push an egg through the grass with a long-handled spoon. Organized by the White House every Easter Monday, the event attracts thousands of participants; in 2016 Barack and Michelle Obama hosted more than 35,000 children!

Another hugely popular tradition is the Easter egg hunt – a treasure hunt for children. Armed with a map to find the chocolate eggs, either inside or outdoors, fun is always ensured!

The origins of the Easter Egg hunt date back to 16th century Germany, when men used to hide eggs and then invite their wives and children to find them. At the same time, a new icon emerged as a fertility symbol – the rabbit (or hare). It was already a recurring figure in paintings and illuminated manuscripts. For Easter rites, it became a protector of the eggs, gathering them in a basket and hiding them in the garden areas around homes.

This tradition gained traction in Anglo-Saxon culture during the Victorian era. On April 7, 1833, Princess Victoria, then 14 years old, wrote in her journal: ‘Mama did some pretty painted & ornamented eggs, and we looked for them’. Her delight at this pastime lasted until after she became Queen of England. In another journal, dated 1869, she wrote ‘After breakfast, the children, as usual on this day, looked for Easter eggs.’.

Hard-boiled eggs were painted with onion skins, which gave their shells a rich golden hue or wrapped in gorse flowers, creating a delicate yellow and brown surface pattern. These practices endured until 1873 – the year the candy company Fry’s started selling the first chocolate eggs.

Get ready, because on Thursday, March 28th, we are organising an Easter egg hunt!

We look forward to welcoming you at the at Palazzo Gromo Losa in Biella for the Easter edition of Conoscersi con un sorriso (Happy hanging out).

See you there from 10 am to 1 pm and again from 3 pm to 6 pm along with an adorable but absent-minded bunny who has lost all his chocolate eggs! Armed with maps, handmade baskets and an adventurous spirit, we’re going to find them and at the same time explore one of the most fascinating locations in town. Solve the puzzle and win the prize!

This event is co-organized by Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Biella and Questura di Biella – Polizia di Stato. Free entry, but booking is required.