From painted Easter eggs to papier-mâché figures – different Easter traditions in different countries.
Easter is one of the most important holidays for Christians and is celebrated in many countries with different traditions. These range from painting Easter eggs and doing somersaults down a hill to burning papier-mâché figures as a symbol of driving away evil. The article shows which rituals and traditions exist in some of the countries where FMS is located.
In Germany, it is a tradition to blow out and paint eggs at Easter and then use them as decorations for the house and garden and hide them during the Easter egg hunt. For the Easter egg hunt, chocolate eggs or bunnies are also hidden.
In Switzerland there are very diverse traditions and rituals at Easter. In Zurich, children hold an egg in their hands and an adult tries to throw a coin so that it gets stuck in the egg. If the coin falls to the ground, the children get to keep the egg and the coin.
In the USA, there is the flashy and colorful Easter Parade in New York - people parade down 5th Avenue with flowers, lavish hats and fancy costumes. The custom dates back to the 1860s, when the elite presented the beautiful new dresses here.
In Spain, Easter traditions have a strong religious orientation. In numerous processions, the Samana Santa, brotherhoods with pointed hoods and figures of saints parade through the streets.
In Great Britain, there are many different Easter traditions, for example, Easter eggs are labeled with names and placed in a sieve. The sieve is shaken and the last undamaged egg wins. Things are more sporty in Wales: the Welsh climb a hill at sunrise on Easter Sunday and do somersaults down the hill.
The Mexican Easter tradition is one of the few political Easter traditions that exist in the world. The streets of Mexican cities are decorated with garlands of paper towels and toilet paper two weeks before Easter, and on Easter Saturday figures made of papier-mâché are burned. This symbolizes the victory of good - and for this, figures of unpopular politicians are then sometimes created and burned.
Easter days begin with Maundy Thursday ( in Germany it is „Green Thursday“) and in Austria the name of the day is also a reference to the first Easter tradition - green food is eaten on Maundy Thursday. Children carry apples and pretzels to church, according to custom they ask for growth with this gesture.
Like Black Friday in America, Easter Monday in the Netherlands calls for furniture shopping. This tradition has been around for more than 30 years and has led to very long lines in front of stores on one occasion or another. Alternatively, the Dutch spend Easter at an Easter bonfire and even set a new record in 2012 with the size of one, which is in the Guinness Book of Records.
In Brazil, the Easter season begins with Carnival as a prelude to Lent 40 days before Easter. On Easter weekend, chocolate eggs and other small gifts are given to friends and relatives to celebrate Easter.
Wesołych Świąt
In Poland, Easter is the most important religious and family celebration, where Catholic faith meets colorful folk traditions. A highlight is Święconka: on Holy Saturday, families take decorated food baskets to church to be blessed and share them at Easter breakfast. On Easter Monday, Śmigus-Dyngus is celebrated by splashing each other with water as a symbol of cleansing and good luck.
Feliz Pascua!
In Peru, Easter focuses on church services and solemn processions. Holy Week from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday is one of the main celebrations, especially commemorating Christ’s suffering on Good Friday. On Maundy Thursday and Good Friday people eat fish instead of meat, and television shows many Bible-themed programs.
Feliz Pascua!
In Colombia, Semana Santa is a deeply religious celebration with impressive processions. From Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, public life largely comes to a halt while people commemorate the Resurrection of Christ with devotions, candlelit ceremonies and traditional foods – a time for family, reflection and living traditions.
Geseënde Paasfees
Easter in South Africa blends Christian traditions with late summer and is often celebrated with family braais at the beach or in the mountains. Typical treats are hot cross buns, pickled fish on Good Friday and chocolate eggs hidden by the Easter bunny.
Glad Påsk!
In Sweden, Easter is a colorful, mostly secular spring and family festival. On Maundy Thursday, children dress up as Easter witches (Påskkärringar) and go door to door with drawings to collect sweets. Typical are the feather-decorated påskris and an Easter buffet with herring, salmon, eggs and large cardboard eggs filled with candy.
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