PEN PAPER PEACE e.V.

Colonial traces - Easter in Honduras

In Honduras, Easter is experienced with great intensity and is widely celebrated. Catholic festivities were introduced and spread across the country during Spanish colonial rule and merged, over the centuries, with the traditions of indigenous peoples, such as the Lenca, giving rise to a religious syncretism.

During Semana Santa (Holy Week), various celebrations take place: white is the dominant color on Holy Thursday (Jueves Santo), while Good Friday (Viernes Santo) is marked by the Santo Entierro procession, which typically winds through the main streets of the capital, Tegucigalpa, and many other cities. On this day, processions wind their way along a route paved with alfombras de aserrín (carpets made of colored sawdust, seeds, and colored materials). Entire streets are transformed into temporary works of art depicting religious scenes. The one held in Comayagua is particularly famous.

For Easter, various traditional dishes are prepared throughout the country, such as sopa marinera (a fish soup) and pescado frito (fried fish).
For dessert, people enjoy torrejas en miel, a traditional treat made from bread soaked in milk, eggs and cinnamon, then fried and served with honey or brown sugar. Another popular dish is ayote en miel, consisting of squash cooked in a sweet syrup made from panela (unrefined brown sugar) and spices. Best enjoyed with a buena taza de café!

Thank you to our volunteer Martina for the research!

Sources and further information:

Buen Provecho. (s.d.). Platillos más populares entre los hondureños en la Semana Santa. https://www.buenprovecho.hn/nuestro-sabor/platillos-mas-populares-entre-los-hondurenos-en-la-semana-santa/

Loescher Editore. (s.d.). La Semana Santa en América Latina. https://enespanol.loescher.it/news/la-semana-santa-en-america-latina-7712

Meléndez, F. (2020). Una mirada a los elementos autóctonos de la tradición oral indígena y garífuna de Honduras. Revista UNAH Sociedad, 1(IV), 80-102. https://doi.org/10.5377/rus.v0i0.10359

Tucker, Catherine. (2012). Syncretism and Conservation: Examining Indigenous Beliefs and Natural Resource Management in Honduras.

RDS Radio. (s.d.). Platillos emblemáticos en Honduras en Semana Santa. https://rdsradio.hn/articulo/platillos-emblematicos-en-honduras-en-semana-santa

Zapata, D. (2024, gennaio 30). Alfombras de Semana Santa, una muestra de arte y fe. El Heraldo. https://www.elheraldo.hn/honduras/alfombras-aserrin-semana-santa-fe-arte-tradicion-EG17110015

Some impressions from 2025

At the daycare center “Pasos Pequeñitos” in Honduras, children of single parents have been cared for lovingly and educational workshops for parents have been implemented in 2025.

The vocational preparation center “Talleres” in Honduras has been providing professional training for adolescents in different branches.

At the school “Baumgartsbrunn” in Namibia, students and teachers have been building a vegetable garden and continuing their school education.

The schools St. Nicolas and St. Emma in Haiti have provided a safe space and quality education for more than 600 children despite the dangerous situation. Thank you to the 24 good deeds Advent calendar for their support!

We started the project “Tanzender Stern” (“Dancing Star”) in Germany, bringing workshops for students, teachers and parents to schools that are especially beneficial for children with ADHD.

As a follow-up to our computer learning game “Jeannes Reise”, we have developed accompanying educational materials that facilitate the integration into school lessons. Thank you to Joseph Ferdinand, Martin Reimer, Mathias Herrmann and Milena Jung for their valuable work!

Thank you so much for your support that enables us to continue our valuable work!

Colonial Traces in… Lisbon 👣
Padrão dos Descobrimentos

Thank you to our volunteer Andréa B. for the research and the photo! ❤️

222nd anniversary of the „Battle of Vertières Day“ or „Armed Forces Day“ in Haiti

On the 17th to 18th of November in 1803, the Battle of Vertières took place. It was the final battle of the Haitian revolution which led to Haiti gaining its freedom from France. The Haitian forces were led by Jean-Jacques Dessalines and François Capois, the French forces by Donatien de Rochambeau. The French tried to regain control of their former colony, having already lost most of the territory. But in this final battle, the Haitians defeated them one last time. France surrendered officially and its troops left the island. On the 01.01.1804, Haiti officially became an independent country, thanks to the first and only successful revolution of formerly enslaved people.
Today, the 18th of November is an official holiday in Haiti where the victory over France is celebrated.

Now you know about the end, but how did it start? If you want to know more about the whole history of the Haitian revolution and its consequences, check out our learning modules for primary and secondary school and our digital learning game „Jeanne’s Reise“! (only available in German)