WHEN IS EASTER THIS YEAR?
In 2020 Good Friday falls on 10th April, Easter falls on Sunday 12th April and Easter Monday is on 13th April. Unfortunately, this year, during the coronavirus pandemic, we won’t see any celebrations so we take a look at the way Easter traditions are celebrated around the world.
WHAT IS EASTER?
Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. After being executed on a cross on Good Friday, Jesus was buried in a tomb. That first Easter, some 2,000 years ago, God the Father raised Jesus from the dead. That Friday is called Good Friday because it leads to the resurrection of Jesus and his victory over death and sin.
EASTER IN BERMUDA
In Bermuda, on Good Friday, the locals celebrate by flying homemade kites, eating codfish cakes and hot cross buns. The tradition is said to have begun when a local teacher from the British army had difficulty explaining Christ’s ascension to Heaven to his Sunday school class. He made a kite, traditionally shaped like a cross, to illustrate the ascension.
EASTER IN BULGARIA
In Bulgaria people don’t hide their eggs, they have egg fights and whoever comes out of the game with an unbroken egg is the winner and is assumed to be the most successful member of the family in the coming year. In another tradition, the oldest woman in the family rubs the faces of the children with the first red egg she has coloured, symbolizing her wish that they have rosy cheeks, health and strength.
EASTER IN HAUX
In the town of Haux, a giant omelette made with 4,500 eggs that feeds 1,000 people is served up in the town’s main square. The story goes that when Napoleon and his army were traveling through the south of France, they stopped in a small town and ate omelettes. Napoleon enjoyed his so much that he ordered the townspeople to gather their eggs and make a giant omelette for his army the next day.
EASTER IN GERMANY
Whilst in many countries Easter eggs are hidden and children hunt for them, in Germany Easter eggs are prominently displayed in trees and streets, with some of the trees having thousands of multi-colour eggs hanging in them.
EASTER IN GREECE
In Greece, the tradition of ‘Pot Throwing’ takes place on the Saturday. People throw pots, pans and other earthenware out of their windows, smashing them on the streets. Some say the custom of throwing pots welcomes spring, symbolizing the crops that will be gathered in new pots.
EASTER IN HUNGARY
In Hungary people believed that water had a cleansing inducing effect. ‘Sprinkling’ is a popular Hungarian Easter Monday tradition, in which boys playfully sprinkle perfume, cologne or water over a young woman’s head, and ask for a kiss.
EASTER IN INDONESIA
There are around seven million Catholics in Indonesia, Christianity was brought there by Portuguese missionaries, and statues from this time are carried through the streets. Young men consider it an honour to be chosen to play Jesus and be tied to the cross in various locations.
EASTER IN ITALY
In Florence Italy, a huge decorated wagon is dragged through the streets by white oxen until it reaches the cathedral, and when Gloria is sung inside the cathedral, the Archbishop sends a dove-shaped rocket into the cart, igniting a large fireworks display.
EASTER IN SPAIN
One of the biggest Easter celebrations takes place in Seville Spain, where 52 different religious brotherhoods parade through the streets manifesting the crucifixion, with thousands watching the daily processions of marching bands and decorated candle lit floats illustrating the Easter story.
EASTER IN SWEDEN
Easter in Sweden happens with the children dressing up as Easter witches wearing long skirts, colourful headscarves and painted red cheeks, they go from home to home in their neighbourhood trading paintings and drawings in the hope of receiving sweets.
EASTER IN THE USA
In the United States, the President hosts the annual Easter egg roll on the White House lawn on Easter Monday. The tradition, believed to date back to the early 19th century, involves children rolling a decorated hard-boiled egg with a large serving spoon.
May you have a blessed Easter!