Greek Easter
Although I personally do not believe in religion itself, I
tolerate that others do. Especially Greek Orthodox people.
My whole life now Easter has never been celebrated only the ‚German‘ way, but often the ‚Greek‘ way. Many times, since childhood, my family and I spent Easter in Crete, and although
we are not religious, we still followed some of the Greek Rules. Among that, I almost feel Greek since I speak the language,
went to Greek school, spent most of my holidays there and have Greek friends.
In my project I tried to capture the essence of what Greek
Easter really means to me as a foreigner, but almost greek kid, adapting the culture without having to be a religious member
of the Orthodox church.
The pictures show how people in the village of Paleochora,
Crete, spend their Easter on „Big Friday“ (megali paraskevi) and „Big Saturday“ (megalo savato). On „Big Friday“ the greek
Easter procession begins, when people traditionally carry the „epitafio“, which is supposed to be Jesus coffin. On Saturday everybody steps first into church, to get the ‚wholy light‘ and burn a candle, only to right after step out again and celebrate the
final part of „Big Saturday“ - the burning of the Judas, represented by a straw man.
Entering the church in Paleochora, Crete, Greece. April 2017
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A woman in front of the "epitafio" (επιτάφιο), the greek Easter procession, which takes place on "Big Friday" (μεγάλη παρασκευή).
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The beginning of the "epitafio".
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The final part of "Big Saturday" (μεγάλο σάββατο) - the burning of the Judas, represented by a straw man.
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