Happy Easter - Frohe Ostern!

Celebrating an important holiday in a foreign country has always been something I've enjoyed: Bastille Day (Strasbourg) in 1994, Palm Sunday (London) and Easter (Vienna) in 1998, Christmas (London) and New Years (Paris) in 2006, with the latest being Easter (Graz) 2013.

Our Easter celebration began with a visit to the Graz markets. First up, the main Easter market on the Hauptplaz. Mainly a handicrafts market, featuring many crafts similar to things you'd find at a summer farmer's market back home (pottery, funny creatures made of stone and metal, paintings, jewelry  bags/purses...). We picked up several things to brighten up the apartment.

Handmade ceramic flowers

Hauptplaz Easter Market - Graz 2013

Next the market at Kaiser Josef Platz. This is the largest and oldest farmer's market in Graz. Originally a timber market - it is located right across the street from the opera house and Lutheran Church. Kaiser Josef was responsible for legalizing protestant churches in Austria in the 19th century and this square was renamed as a thank you. Though I don't have much to compare it to so far I think it has to be the best! We wandered through the market several times taking in the sights and smells before purchasing items for our Easter dinner. This market is open 6AM to 1PM Monday through Saturday, so I plan to do a good bit of our regular shopping here as it's not too far from the apartment and is right on our tram line.

Cheese stall!!!

Now that's some fresh sauerkraut - yum, yum!

Today is Easter Sunday and we started the day by attending mass at the Graz Dom (cathedral) in the historic city center. The music was outstanding! A full orchestra, chorus with vocal soloists performed Missa in Tempore belli (Paukenmesse) - Mass in Time of War (Timpani Mass) by Franz Joseph Haydn (composed 1796), as well Handel's Hallelulja from "The Messiah" and a Gregorian chant ensemble sang the Proper and Ordinary. The order of the liturgy and the singing of the Introit, Gradual, etc. took me straight back to my university days. It is always so exciting to see and hear live what you have studied in school, even if it's been awhile. The service was two hours long, and the church was very cold so afterwards we hustled back home to the warmth of our apartment.

Here in the apartment our Easter was very much the same as back home. I took a nap, Nick read a book, we talked with family (Skype is great!), ate way too much food, and played games. We tried to create a very Styrian Easter dinner and it was all delicious.

Easter dinner: Hardboiled eggs, fresh horseradish, assorted cheeses, Brussels sprouts in 
Kürbiskernöl, fresh sauerkraut, pickled beets, potatoes with Käferbohne and more Kürbiskernöl, Easter sausage, ham and rye bread.

Well it's time to think about our upcoming trip to Italy! We'll be leaving on Wednesday to journey to Venice, the Cinque Terre, and Rome before returning to Graz on April 12. Hoping to find a bit of warmer weather down south!