Different Easter Traditions Around the World
Easter is a holiday and a season.
Easter kicks off in many cultures and countries with the raucous Mardi Gras or Carnival parties.
Parties, which run up until "Fat Tuesday", the day before Ash Wednesday.
Ash Wednesday spells the end of frivolity in many parts of the world.
Lent is the time where many countries culturally observe a time of fasting and reflective traditions.
All the austerity ends on Easter Sunday, with parades, feasts, sweet treats and delicacies, for both young and old.
In Latin American, especially Brazil, Carnival is King and the celebrations take months and months of preparation.
However, the parties cease on Ash Wednesday, as do the consumption of meat, for the duration of Lent.
In other parts of Brazil, specifically in the town of Frazenda, an elaborate passion play, or theatrical and religious portray of the last days of Christ, is a time honored traditional feature of the Lenten season and precedes the feasting on Easter Sunday.
In Germany, in Oberammergau, a similar passion play is presented every year.
Parades to and from the church during holy week are also a tradition around the world.
Either because people are remember Christ's last walk through the streets, or to celebrate this very holy occasion, with a sense of community.
In Ethiopia, devout Christians, refrain from consuming any animal products whatsoever during Lent.
This included meat and dairy products, such as yogurt, butter and cheese, as well as eggs.
On Easter in Ethiopia, as well as in other parts of the world, Easter Sunday is marked with religious services and family feasts, including blessing and eating special sour dough bread for breakfast.
In Germany and other European countries, the day is sometimes about religious ceremonies and always about family and feasting.
European children and adults alike, enjoy sweet breads, cakes and cookies and scrumptious chocolate rabbits, after the long Lenten period of traditional abstinence.
While the Easter bunny is a universal symbol of Easter in most parts of the world.
Every country has a slightly different spin on his appearance or chosen candy delivery method.
In the United States, both the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus have the remarkable talent for being able to get in and out of private homes and locked doors without discovery.
In France and Germany, children build the Easter Bunny a nest out of twigs and leaves in the garden.
Eggs play an important role in Easter around the world also.
From elaborated decorated eggs in the Ukraine to Crimson Eggs in Greece.
Eggs are decorated, eaten, rolled, exchanges and cracked, by children and adults alike.
In many countries, eggs are often a featured menu item for the Easter breakfast, brunch and dinner, as well as a central theme in place settings, centerpieces and given as party favors or holiday gifts.
The Easter Season, particularly in Europe is also strongly linked to many pre Christian traditions, of spring time and the rebirth of the earth after a long cold winter.
In Germany, it is common to have Easter Fires, where Christmas trees are burned in large bond fires.
This symbolizes the cleaning out from w inter and the welcoming of spring.
It is not uncommon to still smell the fires smoldering on Easter Monday.
The brightly colored eggs in Greece date back to pre-Roman occupation, and were symbols of spring and the sunshine, which is plentiful once again with the advent of spring.
In Australia, in Sydney, there is the annual Royal Easter Show, which showcases the best produce, farm animals, parades, rides, food, fun and fireworks.
This end of summer festival is a treat for the young and old alike.
North or south or east or west on the compass, Easter around the world is a season of remembrance, rebirth, and a time to share food with family and friends, while fasting and celebrating.
It is a wonderful way to end winter (or summer for those south of the equator) and welcome the changing of the seasons.
Easter kicks off in many cultures and countries with the raucous Mardi Gras or Carnival parties.
Parties, which run up until "Fat Tuesday", the day before Ash Wednesday.
Ash Wednesday spells the end of frivolity in many parts of the world.
Lent is the time where many countries culturally observe a time of fasting and reflective traditions.
All the austerity ends on Easter Sunday, with parades, feasts, sweet treats and delicacies, for both young and old.
In Latin American, especially Brazil, Carnival is King and the celebrations take months and months of preparation.
However, the parties cease on Ash Wednesday, as do the consumption of meat, for the duration of Lent.
In other parts of Brazil, specifically in the town of Frazenda, an elaborate passion play, or theatrical and religious portray of the last days of Christ, is a time honored traditional feature of the Lenten season and precedes the feasting on Easter Sunday.
In Germany, in Oberammergau, a similar passion play is presented every year.
Parades to and from the church during holy week are also a tradition around the world.
Either because people are remember Christ's last walk through the streets, or to celebrate this very holy occasion, with a sense of community.
In Ethiopia, devout Christians, refrain from consuming any animal products whatsoever during Lent.
This included meat and dairy products, such as yogurt, butter and cheese, as well as eggs.
On Easter in Ethiopia, as well as in other parts of the world, Easter Sunday is marked with religious services and family feasts, including blessing and eating special sour dough bread for breakfast.
In Germany and other European countries, the day is sometimes about religious ceremonies and always about family and feasting.
European children and adults alike, enjoy sweet breads, cakes and cookies and scrumptious chocolate rabbits, after the long Lenten period of traditional abstinence.
While the Easter bunny is a universal symbol of Easter in most parts of the world.
Every country has a slightly different spin on his appearance or chosen candy delivery method.
In the United States, both the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus have the remarkable talent for being able to get in and out of private homes and locked doors without discovery.
In France and Germany, children build the Easter Bunny a nest out of twigs and leaves in the garden.
Eggs play an important role in Easter around the world also.
From elaborated decorated eggs in the Ukraine to Crimson Eggs in Greece.
Eggs are decorated, eaten, rolled, exchanges and cracked, by children and adults alike.
In many countries, eggs are often a featured menu item for the Easter breakfast, brunch and dinner, as well as a central theme in place settings, centerpieces and given as party favors or holiday gifts.
The Easter Season, particularly in Europe is also strongly linked to many pre Christian traditions, of spring time and the rebirth of the earth after a long cold winter.
In Germany, it is common to have Easter Fires, where Christmas trees are burned in large bond fires.
This symbolizes the cleaning out from w inter and the welcoming of spring.
It is not uncommon to still smell the fires smoldering on Easter Monday.
The brightly colored eggs in Greece date back to pre-Roman occupation, and were symbols of spring and the sunshine, which is plentiful once again with the advent of spring.
In Australia, in Sydney, there is the annual Royal Easter Show, which showcases the best produce, farm animals, parades, rides, food, fun and fireworks.
This end of summer festival is a treat for the young and old alike.
North or south or east or west on the compass, Easter around the world is a season of remembrance, rebirth, and a time to share food with family and friends, while fasting and celebrating.
It is a wonderful way to end winter (or summer for those south of the equator) and welcome the changing of the seasons.
