While most people are aware that Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday, the reason why Easter Monday is an official bank holiday is not as clear.
The Easter celebration officially falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the beginning of the astronomical spring. In practice, this means that Easter always falls between 22 March and 25 April.
As this is always a Sunday, many people in Belgium traditionally celebrate the holiday with a large family Easter brunch, while most practising Christians attend church services in which the Easter story is told. Families, as well as local authorities, often organise special activities and Easter egg hunts, where participants (mostly children) can enjoy chocolate Easter eggs.
The day after Jesus' resurrection, however, people in Belgium enjoy a day off work, as the country recognises it as an official bank holiday – but many people do not know why.
The Monday immediately after Easter (called "Easter Monday" in Belgium, but "second Easter day" in the Netherlands) also holds religious significance for Christians: it follows the day Jesus Christ was resurrected following his crucifixion on Good Friday.
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The Bible states that Jesus remained on earth for 40 days after his resurrection. During this time, he appeared to believers, healed the sick and spread the word of God, before ascending into heaven (also celebrated as Ascension Day).
However, nothing is said about what happened on Easter Monday, and the Bible also does not specifically instruct Christians to celebrate the Monday following Easter Sunday.
In Belgium, this day is a mandatory bank holiday for employees. The Netherlands, however, has no law that stipulates that workers are entitled to a day off on holidays such as Easter Monday or Pentecost.
Still, different cultures across the world celebrate the day for different reasons. Some see it as a more solemn remembrance of Christ’s death and subsequent resurrection after the celebrations on Easter, while others bring a more playful element to Easter Monday, such as Easter egg-rolling competitions.
In some places in Belgium, most notably in the village of Lembeek (in Halle, just outside Brussels), a traditional community festival is held, when so-called "Easter Soldiers" march through the streets, on Monday.
