Easter Monday in Suriname
Easter Monday, called Tweede Paasdag in Suriname, is a national day off throughout the country. Suriname’s legal framework treats it like Sunday, while official reporting also documents a Catholic Easter service on the day.[1][2]
A national day off under Suriname’s law
A 2021 presidential state decree names Tweede Paasdag among the national days off observed throughout Suriname. It places the day under the Sunday Rest Act and equates it with Sunday “with all associated legal effects and customs.” This countrywide status is the clearest Suriname-specific feature of Easter Monday.[1]
An earlier decree under the labour law also listed Tweede Paasdag as a day treated like Sunday. The 2021 decree updates the Sunday-rest framework and expressly includes the day in the national list.[1]
Christian meaning and observance
Easter is the Christian feast celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ after his suffering and death. In Suriname, the state decree classifies Easter Monday among the high days of the Christian religion. The holiday follows Easter Sunday and its date changes each year.[1]
An official government report describes an Easter service at Paramaribo’s Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul and says a further Eucharistic celebration takes place there on Easter Monday. The report presents Monday’s service as a continuation of the Easter observance.[2]
What to expect
The national day-off designation and its equivalence to Sunday have practical significance for work and rest. However, the legal text does not specify which offices, banks, shops or transport services close, nor does it publish their opening hours. The available official sources also do not verify particular Easter Monday foods, family customs or regional events, so these should not be assumed to be nationwide traditions.[1]
Travelers and residents who need a particular service should check its operating hours directly.
Frequently asked questions
Is Easter Monday a public day off in Suriname?
Yes. Suriname’s state decree names Tweede Paasdag as a national day off throughout the country and treats it like Sunday under the Sunday Rest Act.[1]
Does the law guarantee everyone a paid day off?
The decree establishes Easter Monday as a national day off, but the cited text does not explain individual pay or compensation arrangements. Check the applicable employment rules or your employer for those details.[1]
When does Easter Monday fall?
It falls on the Monday after Easter Sunday, and its calendar date changes each year. Suriname’s decree identifies it as Tweede Paasdag.[1]
Are shops, banks and public transport open?
Check with the particular business or transport provider before travelling.[1]
Sources and references
Sources used for Easter Monday in Suriname:
- Staatsbesluit van 19 februari 2021, houdende nadere wijziging van het “Besluit Rustdagen 1971” (G.B. 1971 no. 77, zoals laatstelijk gewijzigd bij S.B. 2016 no. 14)- Overheid van de Republiek Suriname
- Pontificale hoogmis in teken van hoop, geloof en vertrouwen- Overheid van de Republiek Suriname