Experience the Vibrant Tradition of Leading Judas at Veselý Kopec Open-Air Museum

During a special time from Maundy Thursday to White Saturday, church bells remain silent. Traditionally in many areas, this silence has been filled by boys who ring bells and clappers. The sound of their rattling signifies the time, known as “knocking,” which is typically heard at dawn, noon, and evening. This custom was believed to help drive away all evil forces that might threaten the village. In folk culture, bell sounds have long been regarded as a protective measure. On White Saturday morning, the bell is rung, and in certain villages, the figure of Judas appears, blending elements of a mask that brings happiness with the biblical character who betrayed Jesus Christ.

A traditional Judas procession can still be seen in villages such as Holice, Hrochovy Tyn, Chrastí, Luží, and Vysoký Mýto, with roots in ancient customs. This tradition has been preserved since at least the late 19th century. As a result, it has been recognized and added to the List of Intangible Assets of Traditional Folk Culture for both the Pardubice Region and the entire Czech Republic.

Hiccups, the Judas Mask and the Role Distribution Among Carolers

In the aforementioned region, boys aged from the youngest to about 15 years old, usually those nearing the end of their mandatory schooling, participate in the tradition of rattling. One of the older boys is specifically chosen to play the role of Judas and wears a mask made out of natural materials like straw or tow. It’s important that his face remains hidden, either by a tall hat or painted over. The design of the mask, the way the rounds are organized, and their conclusion suggest that this might have started as a remnant of pre-Christian practices. There also exists a hierarchy among the boys, with designated roles and a system for sharing the rewards collected. The act of burning the Judas mask performed by the boys outside the village after their Saturday rounds symbolizes purging evil forces.

This year, a group of boys from Slepotice will showcase their customs at Veselý Kopec. They will perform their rounds on Thursday and Friday, utilizing rattles and reciting traditional phrases. At places like crosses, shrines, chapels, and churches, they will also say the Lord’s Prayer. On Saturday, the masked Judas will join them for their final round. Together, the group recites the customary carol at each location and asks for a donation. In Slepotice, besides the role of Judas, the boys also select those to serve as the so-called lord and demigod. These individuals oversee the entire process and keep track of each boy’s participation, noting any late arrivals and whether they perform the correct chants and prayers. At the end of the rounds, the collected money is shared based on age and other factors, including treats, coins, and raw eggs. The Judas mask in Slepotice is represented by a figure with a blackened face and a tall hat, placed in a hay-filled ornate cart, which is not burned in the village. However, two boys are designated to pull this cart. As a result, visitors at Veselý Kopec will not witness the burning of the mask. Nonetheless, they can still observe the procession with its prayers and chants as well as the leadership of Judas and the allocation of offerings.

Customs of White Saturday

White (Easter) Saturday marks the beginning of the Feast of Passover, the most important celebration for Christians. This day symbolizes the conclusion of Lent. During the Sabbath at home, families focus on preparing meals and baked goods for Easter Sunday. Traditionally, people avoid work on this holy day, and this tradition was genuinely adhered to in the past (on Easter Sunday, they refrained from cooking or cleaning dishes, and farmers spent the afternoon walking through their fields, while women prepared Easter eggs). On White Saturday, it is customary for the host to shake fruit trees so that they may yield plentiful harvests. Throughout the morning, boys will come rattling with their bells and clappers. On this day, Catholic churches do not hold Mass, ring bells, or play hymns, but they do have evening services.

People attend churches to quietly pray and pay their respects to the symbolic burial site of Christ. After sunset, a significant vigil is held, the observance before the grand feast. The Easter Vigil begins with a ceremony outside the church, where a fire is lit with a priest present. This fire represents the light that Christ brought into the world. During this ceremony, the Easter candle, known as the paschal candle, is blessed and lit with the current year noted. Following this, a service is held in a dimly lit church. Each attendee strives to obtain a small piece of burnt wood, which is believed to protect against lightning and fire, while crosses made from it were later stored behind the roof of the house. The burnt wood is then placed in the corners of fields, acting like holy cats to shield against hail and ensure a good crop harvest.

The vibrant Easter spirit is also celebrated through an Exhibition at the Bethlehem Memorial Reserve in Hlinsko, which runs from April 1 to April 27. Visitors can immerse themselves in the Easter tradition and folk practices, especially focusing on Easter Sunday and Easter Monday. A four-day Easter program set to take place in the Veselý Kopec area from April 18-21, 2025, will provide visitors with an authentic atmosphere filled with animated exhibits and various activities.

Event Overview

Join us at the Veselý Kopec open-air museum to experience the traditional folk custom of leading Judas during authentic Easter celebrations in April 2025. Discover a vibrant tradition that preserves long-held cultural customs.

Key Traditions & Rituals

• Leading Judas Custom:

  • Witness the performance of the Judas custom, where the act of burning the Judas mask is symbolic of removing evil spirits.

  • Experience the use of bells, clappers, and rattles. Boys ring the bells and use clappers; the rattle marks time and symbolizes the safeguarding of the community by driving away negative influences.

• Cultural Significance:

  • The Judas character combines dual aspects: a fortune-bringing figure that helps eliminate evil and the biblical Judas known for betrayal.

  • The Yiddish mask, crafted from natural materials with distinctive features such as a tall cap or painted face, enhances the symbolic portrayal.

• Community Involvement:

  • The performance involves a structured hierarchy where boys, after completing their rounds, distribute collected goodies, coins, and raw eggs to participants.

Special Dates & Additional Practices

• Yiddish Feast and Ritual:

  • Occurring on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025.

• White Saturday Observance:

  • A significant day in the tradition where Catholic churches do not hold Mass, the bells are silent, and musical instruments remain at rest during the day, though evening services continue.

Geographic Context

• Regional Celebrations:

  • This dynamic custom thrives in villages across the region, including Holice, Hrochovy Tyn, Chrastí, Luží, and Vysoký Mýto.