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Typical Twente Easter traditions
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Written by Liane
Written by Easter is a celebration of traditions in Ootmarsum-Dinkelland. For the Tukker itself a very cozy event where many former residents come back especially for, but also for people outside Twente a whole experience. You really want to experience this once! Read more about our traditions below so you are well prepared for the Easter season.
Palm Palm Easter
![Palm Easter]](https://www.touristserver.nl/img/111682-1521448433/C200X200/palmpasen+ootmarsum.jpg)Palm Sunday, the Sunday before Easter you see many children on the street with a stick on which palm branches, candy and bread are tied. This is the palm branch that is proudly displayed during the Palm Easter procession in Ootmarsum and Denekamp. During this custom, children and their parents walk in a parade while singing Easter songs. And if you have the prettiest palmpaas branch, you win a prize! Fun for the little ones, but even as a spectator you will feast your eyes and get into the Easter mood!
Get Easter wood](https://www.touristserver.nl/img/258683-1678433468/C920X430/2022+Paashout+halen+Markt++overzicht.jpg)
Fetching Easter wood
For a big Easter fire on Easter Sunday you need wood - lots of wood! And that wood is collected on Easter Saturday according to old Twents custom. Here we call this 'hoalt haal'n'.
Especially in Denekamp and Ootmarsumthey take this tradition seriously. It is a custom passed down from father to son. Boys and men leave early in the morning with wagons towards the forest to gather wood. Then, enjoying beer and drinks, they return to the town or village to bring the wood to the Easter bonfire site.
That return is an experience in itself. Smiling faces, happy children and proud fathers - the enthusiasm is palpable! Definitely worth experiencing.
Vlöggeln](https://www.touristserver.nl/img/311292-1741255902/C920X430/DSC09080+kleiner.jpg)
Vlöggeln
A special tradition in Ootmarsum is the Vlöggeln, on both First and Second Easter Day. The story begins with the Poaskearls. These young, single men are "rulers" of the town these days. They cannot be missed in their long beige coat, black pants and hat. During the vlöggeln the Poaskearls and other inhabitants of Ootmarsum walk hand in hand through town. Meanwhile, they sing Easter songs. The oldest Poaskearl walks ahead and smokes a cigar.
Once they arrive at the end point - the Market Square - the children are lifted up three times. This symbolizes the joy of new life. Vlöggeln just has to be experienced and seen once.
Easter stake towing
Another fine tradition is the Easter stake towing in Denekamp on Easter Sunday.
Led by Judas and Iscarioth, the castle lord of Huis Singraven is asked for an "Easter stake" (a long, straight tree trunk). After granting this request, the procession marches to the spot where the tree is designated. This is then cut down and dragged forward with the top towards the village center by hundreds of people who form long chains in a very short time by holding each other's hands.description
Arriving at St. Nicholas Church, the tree is laid down in front of the church and many go to the Easter Vigil starting at 3 p.m. Following this, the Easter stake is pulled on to the Easter meadow where the tree is set up straight again and the spectacle of selling the tree begins. This game of asking and bidding is performed in unadulterated Twents dialect.
![Easter Fire]](https://www.touristserver.nl/img/258684-1678433803/C920X430/2022+Paasvuur+oudste+poaskeerls.jpg)
The Easter Bonfire
[The Easter fire]](https://www.ootmarsum-dinkelland.nl/zoeken/?q=paasvuur "") may not be typically Twents, but the way it is organized here is. This too is done according to a centuries-old tradition.
On Easter Sunday at 8 p.m. Easter fire is lit. If you drive around the Twente countryside, you will see smaller Easter fires burning in dozens of places, often in the yards of farmers. Neighbors get together, chat and enjoy the fire.
At the large Easter fires in Denekamp and Ootmarsum, the Poaskearls make it extra special. In their traditional clothing, they walk around the fire and sing their Easter songs - an impressive spectacle you don't want to miss.
One thing is certain: in Twente you will not be bored during the Easter weekend. Ideal for a day out. Or you can book a night in a hotel at the same time. Because honestly: the Twente Easter traditions go hand in hand with the necessary drinks. And plopping straight into bed after a day like this only makes it better, right?
Twente has even more traditions and customs, take a look at this video
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