Written by Chara Lica from Romania

In Romania, Easter is much more than a religious holiday. It is a shared experience that brings families and generations together. For Orthodox Christians, Easter celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the moment when life triumphed over death. It is considered the most important celebration in the Christian calendar. Preparation starts at the beginning of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting and reflection, and reaches its peak during Holy Week. Each day of this week has its own special meaning. Good Friday is particularly significant, it is the day when Christians remember the suffering and crucifixion of Christ. On this day, people fast strictly and visit their local church to pass beneath the Holy Epitaph, a cloth representing the burial of Christ, as a gesture of humility and spiritual renewal.

 At midnight, Orthodox churches fill with people holding candles, waiting for the moment of the Resurrection. The priest comes out from the altar and announces: «Come, receive the light!» The flame is passed from candle to candle until the darkness is replaced by a warm sea of light. At that moment, everyone sings «Christ is risen!» and this phrase becomes the traditional Christian greeting used all the way until Ascension Day, 40 days later. The response, «Truly, He is risen!», is a simple but powerful expression of faith.

This midnight service is not just a religious ceremony. It is also a moment of deep connection between people and God, and between people themselves. Afterward, everyone walks home trying to keep their candle lit for as long as possible, as a symbol of faith and hope.After 40 days of fasting, Easter Sunday is a time of celebration and togetherness. Families gather around the table, share traditional food, and pass on customs from one generation to the next. A popular tradition is knocking red eggs together while saying «Christ is risen!», the red colour symbolises the blood of Christ, and the egg represents new life.

 The Easter meal in Romania includes several traditional dishes:

● Lamb soup and roast lamb

● Drob de miel – a baked dish made with lamb offal, herbs, and eggs

● Red eggs – a symbol of sacrifice and renewal

● Cozonac – a soft, sweet bread filled with walnuts, cocoa, or Turkish delight

● Pască – a sweet baked cheesecake with raisins, often decorated with a cross

Easter in Romania is a celebration where faith and tradition come together in a meaningful way. It is not only about religious rituals, it is also about family, community, and keeping alive the customs of the past.From the quiet reflection of Good Friday to the joy of the Easter table on Sunday morning, Romania offers a truly unique way of experiencing this holiday. If you would like to see it for yourself, come to Romania at Easter and take part in a tradition full of light, warmth, and gratitude.

Written by the students: Camila, Hugo, Miguel, Leo F., Kevork, & Diego G.G. – IES Montevil  from  Spain

Asturias, in northern Spain, celebrates its cultural heritage through vibrant festivals. One of the most famous is the Fiesta de la Sardina, which marks the end of Carnival with a parade that mimics a funeral procession, ending with the symbolic burning of a sardine to close the festive season.

The Fiesta de la Castaña is another key celebration, held in autumn to honour the harvest with roasted chestnuts and sweet cider. People gather to enjoy these seasonal treats, embracing the region’s agricultural traditions.

The Fiestas de prao, or “festivals of the meadow,” take place in summer, with open-air celebrations in meadows featuring music, brass bands, and local food. A highlight is the espicha, a lively party in cider houses or outdoors, where people drink directly from the barrel, pour the cider in the traditional way called escanciar, and share traditional dishes.

Asturian cuisine is equally rich, with fabada, a hearty bean stew; cachopo, steaks with Iberian ham and cheese; and arroz con leche, creamy rice pudding, being local favourites that reflect the region’s flavourful food culture.

Written by the students: Emanuel, Christian, Nerea, Pelayo, Anaís, Mauro, Daniela, Carlos, & Diego G.S. – IES Montevil  from Spain

The Sella River Descent, which runs from Arriondas to Llovió, is one of the most emblematic events in Asturias. Popularly known as the “Fiesta de las Piraguas”, it has been declared a Festival of International Tourist Interest and is held every year on the first Saturday of August, provided that it does not fall on the 1st or 2nd. Although the main event is the official canoeing competition, the celebration lasts throughout the entire weekend and attracts thousands of visitors. Participation is open and very popular: federated athletes with an official licence compete first, followed by tourists, who complete the route for fun while enjoying the festive atmosphere and the spectacular scenery of the Sella River.

 Not far from this area rise the Picos de Europa, a mountain range about 20 km long that forms part of the Cantabrian Mountains and extends across Asturias, Cantabria, and Castile and León. Its highest peak is Torre de Cerredo, standing at 2,650 metres. This massif is one of the great natural symbols of northern Spain, known for its deep gorges, high mountain meadows, and hiking routes. Its proximity to the coast creates striking landscape contrasts, making it an essential destination for nature lovers.

 Within the Picos de Europa, Covadonga stands out as perhaps the most famous village in the area. It belongs to the municipality of Cangas de Onís and is a place rich in history and symbolism for Asturias. In the mountains above the sanctuary lie the Lakes of Covadonga, Enol and Ercina, two glacial lakes that form one of the most visited landscapes in the national park. Surrounded by pastures and peaks, they are a reference point for hikers and travellers seeking to experience the Asturian highlands.

 Asturias’s natural heritage is also reflected in its native animal breeds. The Asturcón, or Asturian pony, is a small and robust horse that has inhabited the mountainous regions of the Cantabrian Mountains and the Pyrenees since ancient times. It is characterised by its small size, abundant mane, muscular chest, and very resistant hooves, with an average height of between 1.30 and 1.47 metres. The Asturceltic pig is another traditional breed from Asturias, closely linked to rural life. With white, black, or spotted colouring and long, drooping ears, it typically weighs between 205 and 255 kilograms. Its numbers declined drastically with the introduction of more commercially profitable breeds, but conservation efforts are helping it recover.

Written by the students: Iyán, Martín, Xabel, Mael, Lucas, & Carla R. – IES Montevil  from Spain

Asturias is home to some of Spain’s most significant historical and architectural landmarks, spanning from Roman antiquity to the Middle Ages and the modern era. In the city of Gijón, the Campo Valdés Roman Baths offer a glimpse into the region’s ancient past. Originally constructed near the end of the first century, these public baths remained in use until the fourth century, when they were repurposed as a necropolis and eventually buried. They remained hidden until 1903, when they were rediscovered during sewer construction. Since opening as a museum in 1995, the site has become a cultural staple, earning a Bien de Interés Cultural designation and ranking as Gijón’s most visited museum in 2023.

Located in the parish of Cabueñes, Gijón is also home to a massive building originally designed as a learning centre for orphans. This imposing structure has transitioned from its initial educational purpose to become a vibrant cultural hub. Today, it serves as a central point for the community, hosting several cultural institutions and preserving its architectural legacy while adapting to the modern needs of the city.

In the nearby city of Oviedo, the slopes of Mount Naranco are home to Santa María del Naranco, a prime example of Asturian Pre-Romanesque architecture. This historic building is celebrated for its unique aesthetic, which is seen as a precursor to later movements, blending elements that evoke Gothic, Renaissance, and Islamic architectural styles. Its position on the mountain makes it a focal point for both history enthusiasts and nature lovers, as the site is a popular starting point for hikers looking to explore the Asturian landscape after visiting the monument.

Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, Santa María del Naranco stands as a powerful symbol of local devotion and tradition. Beyond its religious and historical significance, it is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful locations in Asturias. The combination of its intricate design and scenic mountain setting ensures that it remains an essential destination for those seeking to understand the deep cultural and artistic roots of northern Spain.

Written by: Paweł Pinderski, Wioletta Cegiel, Zuzanna Jodłowska, Laura Małecka, Amelia Paszek, Mikołaj Reichert- Stefan Cardinal Wyszynski Primary School in Sarzyna from  Poland

On what occasion is the Harvest Festival celebrated? It is a folk holiday combined with thanksgiving rituals for the completion of the harvest and field work. In pre-Christian times, it was an ethnic Slavic holiday. In Poland the Festival usually takes place on 15^th August.

In Poland, this celebration is usually held in rural areas. No Harvest Festival is complete without traditional wreaths woven from harvested crops and decorated with wildflowers. Baking bread from flour from the current year’s harvest is also mandatory.

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 There is a tradition of  a different village organizing the Harvest Festival every year. The host of the village leads the parade to the church to thank God for crops and then invites the groups from other villages to a party with music, dances and regional food. You can easily notice the village which is the host while passing by because there are impressive straw monuments welcoming guests by  the road signs. Moreover,in Nowa Sarzyna commune Majorettes from our school grace this event.

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Sources:

Galeria – UMiG Nowa Sarzyna

Dożynki Gminne 2025 w… – Centrum Kultury w Nowej Sarzynie | Facebook