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EVENT DESCRIPTION

Easter typically celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ - a central belief for Christians world-wide and the main emphasis of Christian belief. Religious theorists believe that Jesus Christ resurrected three days after the Romans crucified him, which was roughly 30 AD. Easter is also associated with the exodus of the Jews from Egypt as is written in the Book of Exodus in the Bible. It is believed that Jesus was arrested on the night of the Last Supper. The Sunday that precedes Easter is called Palm Sunday. It marks and celebrates the day Jesus arrived in Jerusalem, when his followers greeted him by laying palm leaves at his feet to demonstrate their reference for him.  

The naming of Easter predates to a pre-Christian goddess called Eostre who was celebrated at the beginning of spring. The reference for this goddess derives from the writing of Venerable Bede who lived in the late seventh and early eight century. Bede was so influential for later Christians that the name stuck. Easter has since being the name by which the English, Germans, and Americans refer to the festival of Jesus' resurrection.  

From the 17th century onward, there was an increasing recognition of childhood as a time of life that should be joyous and not simply as preparatory for adulthood. At this point Easter eggs and Easter bunny became especially influential. Decorated eggs had been part of the Easter festival since medieval times, given the obvious symbolism of new life. Several Eastern European legends describe eggs turning (a favourite colour for Easter eggs) in connection with Jesus 'death and resurrection. 

In the 17th century, a German tradition of an Easter hare of bringing eggs to children who were good became a tradition. Hares and rabbits had a long association with spring seasonal rituals because of their powers of fertility. Easter is now celebrated not only to commemorate Jesus's resurrection, but it also marks Eostre's ancient origins that are entirely unaligned with Christian tradition.

LIKELY DATES

9th April, 2023.