In America, colored eggs and the Easter bunny are popular traditions for most. While these traditions can take place in several other countries as well, Easter is celebrated differently all around the world. Let's take a look at a few Easter traditions in other countries around the world:
England
At Easter, the English like to enjoy a Hot Cross Bun, a sweet bun with raisins and a cross at the top. Similar to America, decorating Easter eggs is a common tradition in England. The Easter bunny is also very much a part of the holiday. Some people make Easter bonnets or baskets, which have things like daffodils or mini eggs in them. In addition to Easter egg hunts, people exchanges gifts of anything from money and chocolate to clothes, or they sometimes go on vacation together instead.
France
In France, Easter is called Paques. You won't hear any church bells ringing on Good Friday or Easter Sunday. This is a token of mourning for the crucified Christ. Early on Easter morning, the children rush into the garden to watch the bells return. During this time, their elders take the opportunity to hide chocolate eggs. Boxwood branches are sometimes used instead of palm leaves, to put over doors to bring good luck to the people in the house.
Germany
In Germany, the Easter holiday is known as Ostern. Children get about 3 weeks of vacation, while none of the adults work on Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday. Many people eat fish on Good Friday. On Easter Saturday, there is often a big bonfire in the evening. These Easter fires symbolize the end of winter and burn away any bad feelings. On Easter Sunday, families have nice breakfasts together, and like in America, parents hide Easter baskets with sweets, eggs and small presents. Hand-painted eggs are exchanged with friends, and in many regions girls present their suitors with a red egg.
Italy
In Italy, Easter is called La Pasqua. On Easter Sunday, the Pope presides over a very large mass service in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican City. The service is a place of pilgrimage to Catholics and is broadcast on radio and TV all over the world. In the Palm Sunday services, olive branches are often used in place of palm leaves. Easter Monday is called Pasquetta (Little Easter) and that is when they pull out all the stops. Grilled lamb chops are a must-have for dinner, with Easter bread, which looks like a fat braid, for dessert.
Spain
Easter is a very important holiday in Spain. They too celebrate a Holy Week. On Palm Sunday, most people go to mass in the morning. Children bring
palm leaves, sometimes decorated with sweets or tinsel, to be blessed by
the priest. On Ash Wednesday, people have a cross made of ash put on their foreheads as a way of saying sorry to God. On Maundy Thursday, there is a special "Dance of Death" celebration, where a scary dance is performed in Verges, Gerona at night by men dressed as skeletons. Many cities celebrate with processions through the streets at night. Floats decorated in gold, silver, fine cloths, and fresh flowers are often carried through the streets.
Mexico
In Mexico, Easter is celebrated over a period of two weeks. The first week is Semana Santa, or Holy Week, which runs from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday. On Palm Sunday, people buy woven palms to bring to church service, and after those palms are hung on the doors of Mexican houses to ward off evil. Throughout the week Passion Plays are held in many towns and villages. Since many people in Mexico are Catholic, the majority of the country will participate in a special Easter Sunday Mass. In some areas, that service is followed by a fun fair of sorts, featuring food vendors, toys and sometimes even mechanical rides. The second week runs from Easter Sunday to the following Saturday. These two weeks are a popular time for vacationing as children are out of school for two full weeks.
Greece
In Greek Orthodox Churches, a tomb is often put in the center of the Church for the Good Friday service. On the Saturday before Easter, an evening service is held, where priests give out candles to each attendee that are then lit at midnight. Fireworks are also often used to signal that Easter has begun. After Easter Sunday Mass in Greece, it's customary to eat a stew of lamb's stomach called patsas or tripe soup. The dish is seasoned with red wine vinegar and garlic or thickened with avgolemono, an egg-lemon sauce. For dessert, a sweet Easter treat filled with Greek yogurt called Tsoureki is enjoyed.
Vacationing seems to be a theme in many countries - if you're still looking for something to do this weekend, come stay in one of our lovely condos or private
homes at the Lake of the Ozarks! There are plenty of fun Easter activities happening right here at the beautiful Lake of the Ozarks. To book your last minute reservations for this weekend or to get a jump start on your
Lake of the Ozarks summer vacation planning, give us a call at 877-284-0267 today!
For more information please call us toll free at 1-877-284-0267!!
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Osage Beach, MO 65065
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