Maundy Thursday is a scream for Swedish children. Many dress up as witches today to commemorate the folklore of witches today flying to Blocksberg (the Devil's residence on Earth) and go door-to-door requesting candy.
The Los Angeles Times details the tradition's somber roots: "During the 17th century witch hunts in Sweden, more than 300 women were persecuted and burned at the stake for supposedly having partaken in the Devil's Feast at Blocksberg – an Easter gathering to feast on delicacies such as frogs, bugs, and snakes and dance with Lucifer himself. The sad destiny of these women has today become a rather innocent Halloween-like part of Swedish Easter celebrations. Youngsters dress up as cute little witches with red cheeks and go door to door asking for candy (before they are, as folklore would have it, off for Blocksberg on their brooms)."
Sweden-based website The Local says that "on skärtorsdag, Maundy Thursday, modern Swedish children dress up as påskkärringar (Easter hags) paint their faces, carry a broom and knock on neighbor’s doors for treats, much like American children do at Halloween."
