Easter is arriving in a few days, and with it, the rich culture and traditions of nations all over the world. While the holiday is primarily a religious one, there are still customs held by different nations that celebrate the more secular portion of the day. While everyone is familiar with the dyeing of the eggs, the Easter egg hunts and the Easter bunnies, there are some traditions that not everyone knows about. Here are a just a few of the different celebrations that take place around the world every Easter day.
In the town of Haux, located in France, a large omelet made up of 4,500 eggs is served in the town square. Evidently, when Napoleon and his army came through southern France, they stopped to replenish and had omelets. The omelets were so good that Napoleon demanded a giant omelet be made for his army the following day. The Czech Republic holds a tradition where men fashion whips out of willow and ribbons and playfully spank women. According to legend, this is to transfer the powers of fertility from the willows to the women.
In Florence, Italy, white oxen drag a large, ornate wagon through the streets until it reaches the cathedral. While people sing Gloria inside the cathedral, the Archbishop shoots a rocket shaped like a dove into the wagon and a large fireworks display begins. The United States holds a large Easter Egg Roll at the White House, a tradition that has been running since 1878. More than 35,000 annual participants enjoy live music and entertainment, food and egg rolling on the South Lawn.
In Sweden, children dress up in old clothes so they resemble Easter witches and “trick or treat” from house to house, trading wares like paintings and drawings for candy and sweets. Some places, like Mexico, pay homage to the Easter story by holding passion plays. In the town of Iztapalapa, every resident participates to put on a reenactment of the passion of Jesus Christ. The actor that plays Jesus has to be strong enough to carry a cross weighing about 200 pounds on his back. It is an honor to be chosen to play Him.
Many other countries celebrate Easter in their own ways. Many celebrate with both religious and secular traditions. As per usual, the variances in celebration are all determined by history, religion, geographic location, culture and the like. Regardless of how you, your family and friends celebrate, take a moment to enjoy the goodwill and sentiment as in one way or another, you commemorate an important moment in history. Happy Easter!