While we may celebrate Easter with a roast lamb dinner and (too many?) chocolate eggs, there are countries across the world that have some rather more quirky traditions to celebrate this holiday …
Australia
You’ve seen an Easter chocolate egg and even a chocolate bunny but have you ever seen an Easter chocolate bilby? These small desert dwelling marsupials are an endangered species and chocolatiers across Australia decided to raise awareness of the rabbit-like animals by creating chocolate likenesses over Easter.
Greece
In Corfu on Holy Saturday, the locals enjoy the tradition of ‘pot throwing’. People throw pots and other earthenware, usually filled with water, out of their windows. It is thought that the tradition was started to welcome spring, symbolising that new crops will be gathered in new pots.
Norway
Easter is often seen as a symbol of new life, but not in Norway! Norwegians spend their Easter break indulging in all things crime, with many new crime novels released during this time and detective dramas shown on television over the weekend. Even the milk cartons carry detective stories on their sides!
Bermuda
Everyone gets involved in Easter on the island of Bermuda; locals and visitors alike. The highlight is the Good Friday KiteFest, where people take to the skies with their homemade kites which are usually brightly coloured and have bold geometric designs.
Mexico
Easter traditions vary according to the different regions of the country but many celebrate by making papier mache Judases which they then blow up as part of their celebrations using fireworks – similar to our traditions on Guy Fawkes night.
United States
For over 130 years, Washington DC has hosted the annual Easter Egg Roll, a race on the South Lawn of the White House which involves rolling a coloured hard-boiled egg with a large serving spoon. In more recent times, the event has expanded and now includes egg hunts, music, sport and crafts.
Italy
In Florence, a 350-year-old tradition known as Scoppio del Carro or ‘explosion of the cart’ is celebrated. An ornate cart packed with fireworks is lead through the streets to the Duomo. The Archbishop of Florence then lights a fuse during Easter mass that leads to the cart outside and sparks a lively firework display which is meant to ensure a good harvest.
France
Haux, a town in the South of France celebrates Easter Monday by cooking a giant omelette in the town’s main square. The omelette uses more than 15,000 eggs and can feed up to 1,000 people. Apparently, the tradition was started when Napoleon and his army passed through the town and ate a meal of omelettes they enjoyed so much they ordered a ‘giant’ one for the next day.
To celebrate Easter a little differently next year, contact us today to get planning your Spring 2022 trip!
