Easter celebrations at Latvian Ethnographic Open Air Museum 2012

Easter celebrations at the Ethnographic Open Air Museum usually include Latvian, Christian and modern traditions.

The festivities will start with Easter services at the unique Usma Lutheran Church (built in the 18th century, a part of the museum since 1935). During the rest of the day and on the second day of Easter celebrations, everyone is invited to swing, paint, roll and eat eggs, as well as to take a look at the exhibition of hares and egg-laying birds.

The festivities will also feature musical performances by folklore ensembles, and everyone will be able to sing and dance in the first warm rays of the spring sun.

According to the ancient Latvian beliefs, Easter swinging on swings must be so high so that mosquitoes or other insects will not bite the entire year.