A young girl joins in the Polish Easter celebrations in Valletta yesterday. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Wicker baskets filled with intricately decorated eggs, sausage, bread and the odd toy chick on crisp white linen brightened up St Barbara Church in Valletta yesterday as expats gathered to celebrate the Polish Easter.

Swieconka, or the blessing of the Easter baskets, is one of the most enduring and beloved Polish Catholic traditions on Holy Saturday – the day of joyful anticipation ahead of the resurrection of Christ.

“It is a very important feast for us,” Monika Bolmanska, who helped organise the packed event, told The Sunday Times of Malta.

“It’s an excellent occasion for uniting the Polish community in Malta. It also brings the family together – my young son loves painting the eggs,” she said, gesturing to some eggs which had noticeably childish twirls and designs.

Pisanski, or richly ornamented eggs which symbolise life and rebirth, have been part of the Polish tradition for centuries.

The eggs are decorated with many traditional Polish symbols of Easter: the most popular are lambs, crosses, floral designs and Easter’s greeting.

The food blessed in the church remains untouched until Sunday morning, when it is eaten for breakfast.

“Every food item is divided among all the members of the family. For instance if there are five people, the sausage would be sliced into five pieces – every member must get a piece as the food is blessed,” added Ms Bolmanska.

The blessings were said by Fr Christian Molka, a young Polish priest who happened to be in Malta to study English.