Páscoa

Páscoa is the Christian celebration of the resurrection of Jesus, and Easter Sunday falls on a movable date between late March and late April. In Portuguese-speaking countries, it comes after Lent and Holy Week, so the day is tied to church services as well as family visits. Many people begin the morning at Easter Mass, where churches are often fuller than on an ordinary Sunday. People greet each other with “Feliz Páscoa” and then spend the rest of the day with relatives. The atmosphere is quieter than Carnival and more family-centered than a street festival: lunch tables fill up, godparents and grandparents are visited, and children expect Easter treats rather than public parades.

In Brazil, shops and supermarkets display large wrapped ovos de Páscoa hanging from ceiling racks for weeks before the holiday, and children usually receive chocolate eggs on Sunday. Families often gather for a long almoço de Páscoa, with regional menus that may include cod, roast meat, rice, salads, and desserts, but the chocolate egg is the most recognizable symbol. In Portugal, Easter Sunday is strongly shaped by local Catholic customs and family meals, and sweet folar is one of the best-known foods of the season. Depending on the region, folar may be sweet or savory, and in some areas people also receive almonds or other sweets. The day usually moves from church or home visits into a long lunch with extended family.

The pack has 36 words spread across these domains.