The Easter holidays are strongly linked to religion and tradition and in Menorca, as it can not be any other way; it is celebrated in a very festive manner. The first day is Palm Sunday, in which the coming of Jesus to Jerusalem is remembered. In all the churches on the island they bless the palms after a small procession that ends with mass.

The older generation still usually wear a leaf of laurel on the lapel of their jacket or hold a small bouquet, while the children, who are the main characters of the day, proudly carry their precious palms. The most famous of these are made by the Sisters of the Claudian in Ciudadela or those of the cloister sisters in Mahon. In the afternoon there is also a procession from the churches where the people walk solemnly round the town.

Another Menorcan custom for Easter are the sticks of rock sweets which grow in the trees, it is a symbol that is related to S’Avia Cuarema, of whom we will talk about another time. The children water the trees with sugared water and the Wednesday before Easter the miracle of the sweets growing in the trees takes place.

Another tradition is that godparents or anyone in the family give long sweets wrapped in yellow cellophane called “besitos” (little kisses). This Menorcan custom adds to the tradition of the Easter Monkey, (similar to our Easter eggs) when god parents give chocolate cakes to their godchildren. It is also the custom to make “formatiades” (similar to our pork pies) in the “llocs” (farms) during this Holy Week.

Photo: Diari Menorca

It would be worth your while to have a look at some of the programs that are published, so you can follow the religious services. On Holy Thursday, the washing of feet is done, Jesus is worshipped and the churches adorn the alters to watch over the Blessed Sacrament. Good Friday is a day of processions and at night in Menorca each church leaves with its procession of followers that adds to the one of Jesus of Nazareth. Saturday night the churches celebrate the mass of the resurrection and Sunday morning a solemn procession of people in long tunics.