We can easily imagine how the sequence of religious festivals borrowed experience from the natural circle. Be it the winter solstice, or the revival of the great outdoors in spring. Now it is Easter and we celebrate the reawakening of flora, of our spirits, and maybe of life in the broadest sense.

Families bake crespells (Mallorcan Easter cookies) or get a decent batch at their trusted bakery. Rosita Planisi of Rosevelvet’s uses a recipe of her grandmother’s, Joan Marc offers crespells at the end of his menu degustacion in April, and Can Miquel where you get them all year long now offers a special edition with Easter motifs. While the recipes vary in detail from family to family the use of orange juice and olive oil is a must and the true secret of crespells.

The way to cookies and feast though is not a cake walk. Holy Week starts with traditional processions. Sinners walk the cold streets barefoot, some of them even dragging chains.

Palma is illuminated by candles and filled with solemn music of numerous marching bands. The sinners are disguised in their pointed hoods and cowl-like gowns, some of them fully hidden under the statue of a holy scene which they are carrying all the way. The ancient spectacle is kind of spooky but there is no need to be afraid. Some of the marchers even slip sweets to the children thus heralding Easter.