Easter Holidays Away From Home
For any soldier on an international mission, the Easter holidays are not only a moment of spiritual reflection, but also a test of emotional resilience.
Agenția Media a Armatei, 08.04.2026, 14:28
For any soldier on an international mission, the Easter holidays are not only a moment of spiritual reflection, but also a test of emotional resilience. The Polish and Portuguese troops managed to turn their deployment units into a space of communion, keeping ancient traditions alive, as the accountant of the Portuguese contingent confirms: “Celebrating Easter abroad is naturally different, but it strengthens our sense of duty and commitment to the mission. Some Romanian traditions, such as decorating eggs and the strong attachment to family, remind us of the importance of cultural identity. The fact that you are part of a large Portuguese contingent creates a strong sense of belonging, similar to being part of an extended family. Such experiences have developed resilience and emotional strength, which are important qualities for military service.”
The chefs managed to create the typical decor of a Portuguese family meal, with lamb roast in herbs, and bacalhau – the famous salted cod that is part of any Prtuguese celebration. In Craiova (southern Romania), where the Polish military contingent is stationed, the focal point of Easter in terms of cuisine is undoubtedly the basket with selected dishes prepared for a large family meal. The blessing service was performed by the military chaplain of the contingent. His role goes beyond the liturgical sphere, as he is responsible for the soldiers’ morale, as acknowledged by the liaison officer: “I think he is the best person here, we certainly have the best trained priest with us, on the mission. I think the soldiers are very grateful to him for his commitment. As for the culinary traditions, we eat Jurek soup made of sausages, boiled eggs and a lot of vegetables. The most eagerly awaited dish is obviously the dessert. We eat a lot of cakes at the Easter table”.
Polish soldiers admit that they miss the atmosphere of the second day of Easter, when in Polish villages people splash water on each other for health and good luck. Although the military environment imposes certain limits, the longing for this game is felt as a nostalgia for the normality of home. Here is what the liaison officer told us about this: “I really like this tradition. It is the most exciting part of Easter; now I do it just for the tradition, but I am sure I will throw some water balloons at someone.”
The absence of the loved ones is felt the most strongly at such times. For some soldiers who have been away from home before, this experience can help them get through these delicate moments more easily. Here is the advice received from a staff officer, a veteran of international missions, who is in Romania for the fourth time: “They must be patient, be aware that in a few months they will be home, they will meet their families. They chose the military career, this also implies separation from their loved ones in order to fulfill their duties. Therefore, they must be strong and patient”.
At the end of the holidays, the longing for the loved ones remains. This concept is found in the Portuguese culture under the name of saudade, and here is a translation and explanation of this word by the commander of the mechanized infantry unit, who is on his second mission in Romania: “This is nostalgia, the feeling that you miss your loved ones, the beautiful moments with your family, a particularly painful experience during a mission, but which also essentially gives you energy to move forward, fulfill your mission and return to the midst of your family”.
The Easter spent by Polish and Portuguese soldiers in Romania is proof that cultural identity knows no borders, and allied solidarity is built not only through tactical exercises, but also by respecting and sharing the spiritual values that define us all. (AMP)
