Lower house deputy chair: Easter whipping tradition should be based on consent

Easter Monday is a day of merry-making and pagan spring rites in Czechia. These include caroling and the controversial tradition of boys whipping girls with willow whips in return for a painted egg. Lower house deputy chair Olga Richterová told Nova TV the “whipping” should be conditioned by consent on the part of the women, because not all of them feel comfortable with it. Many Czechs will also use the public holiday to visit Easter markets and some of the country’s castles and chateaus which have prepared special programs.