Easter in the USA and Semana Santa in Guatemala

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Semana Santa and Easter Sunday are one of my children’s favorite holidays. My little guy is all about chocolate, while my daughter loves the idea of the Easter bunny, the parties, and crafts. Easter is almost over, and even though I swear I only looked away for a second, my kids run around the house in a sugar rush after eating more chocolate eggs than they should have. It gets me thinking about how different their memories of Semana Santa will be from mine.

Rice Krispies bunny cake for easter — Rice Krispies Bunny Cake Photo by Paula Bendfeldt-Diaz

The Meaning of Semana Santa

We love decorating eggs, taking pictures with the Easter bunny at the mall, and hunting for treats while wearing cute dresses and lovely baskets. But the real meaning of Semana Santa (Holy Week) is not only about that. In Latin America, Holy Week is a holiday taken quite seriously. And its importance warrants most people taking a whole week off from work.

saw dust carpet Holy week Guatemala — Sawdust carpet for Holy Week celebrations in Guatemala

Semana Santa in Guatemala

In my home country of Guatemala, the traditions kick off right after Carnaval. The colonial town of Antigua Guatemala hosts the most beautiful religious celebration in America. Massive solid wood floats or andas bearing statues of Christ, making their way through the colonial city’s cobblestone streets. As a Guatemalan tradition, families cover the passways with intricate carpets made of colored sawdust, flowers, and fresh fruits.

Semana Santa traditions in Guatemala. Photo by Roberto Urrea Flickr.

The whole city overflows with cucuruchos, men dressed in purple, who carry the andas on their shoulders. The air is full of incense and the smell of corozos. The city is overrun with tourists from all over the world trying to get the best pictures of a beautiful celebration bursting with reverence and significance. I have to admit that even though I come from a catholic family, I have never been very religious. But being in Antigua during Semana Santa and witnessing the processions is a spiritual experience in itself. And I promise it is something you will never forget.

Blending Traditions in Our Home

I hope that my children will be able to experience Semana Santa in Guatemala one day. Still, in the meantime, we talk about how their grandparents, uncles, and cousins are celebrating in Guatemala. We point out the colorful traditions and how they are different from the practices in the United States. We look at pictures, and they especially love reading the beautifully illustrated book Alfombras de aserrín: Sawdust Carpets, Spanish-Language Edition.

Saw dust carpets book — Sawdust carpets book or children.

picking eggs for Easter — Picking eggs for Easter. Photo Paula Bendfeldt-Diaz. All rights reserved.

Great Ideas on How to Celebrate Easter and Semana Santa

10 Kid-Friendly Easter Party Ideas: From adorable Easter party favors, fun party activities, and Easter party foods, these 10 kid-friendly Easter party ideas will help you create an amazing Easter party your kids will remember for years to come.
Fun Easter Basket Ideas For Boys: Lots of Easter basket ideas for boys of all ages and you’re sure to find something your little one will love. From slime and candy to Star Wars and Marvel-themed Easter baskets and filler ideas there is something for everyone.
Easy Easter Crafts For Kids: From cute spring animals to Easter egg projects, there’s something for everyone! Your kids will love these 10 fun Easter crafts.
Creative And Unique Decorating Ideas For Easter Eggs: Do something different and creative with your Easter eggs! There are so many possibilities, your kids will have a blast choosing one!

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Paula Bendfeldt-Diaz

Paula moved from her native Guatemala to SW Florida with her husband and two children and together they are discovering what it means to live life between two languages.

Paula studied architecture and now makes a living as a freelance writer,traveler and amateur photographer.She started her writing & publishing career as the editor of Bebé y Mamá, the first parenting magazine in Guatemala.She is the founder of www.GrowingUpBilingual.com and www.365thingsswfl.com and writes articles in Spanish and English for both magazines and the web on travel,food and bicultural and bilingual parenting .

When she is not on a plane or road trip she likes to create recipes inspired in the flavors of her native Guatemala.

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