Pálení Čarodějnice - Witch Burning

I know the calendar says that Spring sprung a bit over a month ago, but here in the Czech Republic, it isn't officially ushered in until the night of April 30.  The night of the ritual burning of the witch, a custom that dates back to Pagan times, when the Slavs would create an effigy of the goddess Morena (the image of death, winter and nightmares) and burn her at the stake.  The ritual represented the end of the dark days of winter and the fact that they had survived, and the awakening and rebirth of the land.  It was a fun ritual that took a dark turn starting in the late 1700's. 

As the witch hunts, and subsequent trials, took a foothold in Central Europe the effigy was replaced by a real live, though soon to be dead, female.  The townspeople found it easier to blame an actual person, not just an unseen goddess, for the long and hard winter, so a witch was provided for burning. As for the date, April 30 was when the "witches" gave up their offerings to the Devil by burning Christian symbols.  So, on the last day of April each year, huge bonfires were lit to keep away the evil spirits, brooms were thrown into the fire to prevent further witchcraft, and the witches were offered up to the Gods. 

Today, the tradition continues.  Of course, the witch is now made from rags and straw but the intent is still the same - let's burn away the winter and bring on the warm weather.  The bonfires shoot flames high in the sky, food and drink and fun rule the day.  Broom sticks are handed out to all of the little witches to be added to the pyre and fireworks light the sky at dusk.  

The largest of these gatherings is at Ladronka Park in Prague 6.  Luckily, we live less than half a mile from the park so we invited a few friends to join us, and headed out on foot.  We could hear the music and noise as we got closer (the loudest I have ever heard anyone or anything in all of the Czech Republic) and we could smell the smoke in the air.  As the party was just getting started, we still had space to navigate and see all there was to see.  We noticed a large police presense, which told us that this was not a place to be with the kids once the party really got rocking after dark.  Thankfully, the organizers realized that and had the witch burning around 5:30, and the fireworks about 7:45 (which we saw from home).  It allowed the children to be a part of it all, and still be home in bed when the rowdy crowds got out of control.

The weather was wonderful.  They company equally great.  And we all agreed that next year we would do it all again.