By Aunindita Bhatia

With deep roots in Greek and Roman history and mythology, mothers have been recognized throughout the world and throughout time in one way or another.

Rhea from Greece–later Cybele in Rome–was a goddess whose motherhood was respected and commemorated. This tradition continued evolving throughout the ages within the European continent. Eventually, this day was made especially popular in the United Kingdom with the day known as “Mothering Sunday.” This was a Sunday during Lent on which it was considered important for all Christians to visit the ‘mother church’.

Consequently, Mothering Sunday evolved into a time when servants were allowed a day off to go and be with their families. It is for this reason that nowadays, during mother’s day, mothers are expected to take a day off from their house chores, and they receive gifts of flowers and words of love and encouragement from their children. In Belgium in particular, Mother’s Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of the month of May. It is a tradition for Belgian children to give their mothers a card, that they would have drawn themselves at school. The children often, along with their teachers, also prepare a poem which will be recited to their mothers as a surprise.

In Belgium, Mother’s Day is celebrated like a birthday. It is a big feast where all the family will come together for a family lunch. This Mother’s Day meal is a special one indeed, and may be organized either at home or else in a nice restaurant. In Belgium this event is an occasion to pamper mothers, and make them the center of attention. Sometimes, at the end of the meal, the mother is also presented with a nice Belgian chocolate cake.

For all the mothers in Belgium and beyond, “Bonne fête des mamans!”