Croatia’s Easter customs go big in Argentina

Twelve giant painted eggs have been installed in the western Argentinian city of Mendoza, where the Croatian community has used the colourful display to showcase Croatian Easter customs in a city of 1.2 million people.

The 2.5-metre-high and 1.6-metre-wide eggs, made of fibreglass, were created last week by twelve local artists. They have been set up in a square known as Planta Uno, surrounded by cafés and restaurants, CE Report quotes HINA.

"For passers-by, it's something completely new and very interesting," Lucio Agnić, president of the Croatian Home association that brings together members of the Croatian community, told Hina.

In Argentina, it is not customary to dye eggs or display decorated Easter eggs in public spaces such as city squares and parks.

"No one knows what they are; everyone comes up and asks, so this is how we're spreading Croatian traditions," Agnić said.

Croatian Home organised this event for the first time in 2022. Since then, the local and regional authorities in Mendoza have declared it an event of cultural interest and now provide partial financial support.

On Saturday, the artist who created the most beautiful Easter egg was announced. A jury made up of representatives of the artists, city authorities and the Croatian community selected the top three designs, while all participating artists received recognition for their efforts.

The event was livened up by the dance group Veseli and the vocal and instrumental group Planinari, both part of the Croatian Home association.

"It was the magic of our ancestors," said Graciela Mihaljević, a Mendoza-born member of the community whose father came from a village near Varaždin, northwestern Croatia.

Croats began arriving in Mendoza, a city known for wine production, in the late 19th century, with economic migrants continuing to settle there until 1925. After the Second World War, Croatian political émigrés also arrived.

"We want locals to become familiar with Croatian customs," Agnić said, adding that the event will now be held annually.

Easter coincides with the end of the grape harvest and the start of wine production in Mendoza, attracting tourists who stop to admire the eggs.

"My name is Antonela Agostini, and I invite you to take part in the Croatian Easter," the artist said in a promotional video, standing beside the giant egg she had designed.

This year's event was aptly titled "Good wine and a happy Easter".

Around 800 people of Croatian descent now live in Mendoza, keeping the traditions of their ancestors alive.