What is La Chandeleur? by Holly Grattan
It’s a religious holiday in France celebrated by eating a lot of crêpes.
Why crêpes? Crêpes look like the sun. This symbolic shape was a way of looking forward to the end of winter and the days getting longer. It was also a good way to use up any leftover wheat before the new harvest.
Why February 2nd? The religious aspect On this day it is said that Jesus was presented at the temple in Jerusalem. Originally, like so many religious holidays, La Chandeleur was adapted from pagan traditions celebrating the fertility of the earth and the beginning of the end of winter.
handed out galettes (a type of salty crepe) to travellers passing through Rome and another link to the custom of eating crepes on the 2nd of February each year. In my family, every year we skip our main dinner and just have crêpes and the kids absolutely love it! ….well as long as there is Nutella involved which there is – loads! La Chandeleur is not to be confused with Shrove Tuesday which in many countries is also associated with eating pancakes.
History tells us of candle light processions which took place on this day in Rome in the 5th century where Pope Gelasius is said to have
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ENFANTS D’AZUR MAGAZINE
January/ February 2021
In France, Shrove Tuesday is called Mardi Gras and is actually a day when traditionally they ate fatty foods in preparation for fasting that began on Ash Wednesday.
