Easter Bunnies in Liepāja Learn to Survive Storm Conditions

Liepāja's Easter program this year includes activities that prepare residents for any weather challenges. While traditional egg hunts in Riga take place in greenhouse conditions, in Liepāja children learn to search for eggs in 15-degree frost and five-point Beaufort storm conditions.

Chocolate bunny workshops at Mrs. Hoijere's guesthouse are especially popular, as they teach how to create bunnies that won't blow away to Ventspils at the first gust of wind. "We use a special chocolate recipe with lead additives," explains local chocolate master Maija. "Otherwise the bunnies simply fly off to Finland."

The Easter market at Rose Square this year offers a revolution in the vendor world — all goods are chained to the tables. "Last year we lost a ton and a half of apples that flew away to Lithuania," recalls vendor Gunta. "Now we even sell eggs with safety belts."

At the "Kurzeme" shopping center, this year's Easter Bunny will be special — he's trained to work as a storm warning system too. When the bunny's ears start moving faster than usual, it means the next storm from the sea is approaching. Children can learn not only to hunt for eggs, but also to correctly interpret the wind direction signals visible in the bunny's ears.

At the Nature House event "Following Easter's Trail" on Horse Island, there will be special precautions this year — all participants will receive storm helmets and safety ropes. "Last year we spent an hour and a half looking for one child who had been blown to the North Pier," says the event organizer. "It turned out he had a wonderful time there, watching the waves crash against the stone blocks. Now it's become a tradition — if you get blown to the pier, you automatically win the egg hunt." The North Pier has now officially become a romantic walking spot for Easter participants who are brave enough to venture there during storms.

The Easter concert at the beach bar "Red Sun Buffet" will be special — Mārtiņš Balodis will sing while holding the microphone with both hands so it doesn't blow away. The repertoire includes only songs that can be heard even in 25-knot headwinds.