Argentine Easter Traditions.

One of the most fun things about going to a new country is learning about different traditions and celebrating holidays in new ways. The Argentine traditions that stand out are: 

Nearing Easter, chocolate stores and some bakeries sell chocolate Easter eggs. Some of these are fist-sized, others are giant – about 2 feet (60 cm) tall. They’re all made of chocolate and decorated with either more chocolate or merengue. The important thing is it’s not solid chocolate – it’s hollow. And they put all kinds of edible goods in there. From little candies to alfajores and maybe even bigger treats in the larger ones.

A sweet bread called pan dulce will also start appearing in bakeries. It’s sort of the fruitcake of Argentina. Few people say it’s amazing, but everyone eats it around Easter. It is actually good though. A good pan dulce is moist, sweet, and has chunks of dried fruit or chocolate inside. It also looks a bit like a giant muffin.

For many religious Catholics, Tandil, in the province of Buenos Aires, is a bit of a pilgrimage destination due to El Calvario which has a Via Crucis or Way of the Cross leading up to it. Normally these paths are lined with images of Jesus on the day of his crucifixion, but this one is lined with statues. It can be a nice outing even for non-religious people on a beautiful day. And while in Tandil, one should try out the sausages and cheeses! 

Additionally, processions acting out the Via Crucis happen in a number of Argentine cities on Good Friday. These processions can vary depending on the particular place in Argentina. For example, up in the north of Argentina, they may blend in indigenous traditions. 

And now it’s up to you to have some fun celebrating Easter in Argentina!