With påsk just around the corner, there is no better way to celebrate this year than to
incorporate some traditions from around the world into your own påsk celebration. Easter is a
deeply Catholic tradition, and so countries that celebrate it more vividly tend to be countries
where there is a large Catholic cultural influence.
Some of the most common påsk traditions like egg hunting, tend to be adopted a little bit around
each corner of the earth. However, there are several countries that have a lot more quirky
traditions, that involve a little more than just a simple egg-hunting contest. Let’s look at some of
the most common påsk traditions from around the world.
Spain Easter lasts a whole week
Spain is a deeply Catholic country, and therefore påsk is a huge celebration that lasts a whole
week. The Spanish call it “Semana Santa” or “Holy Week”. It involves large religious
celebrations, that go all the way back to Middle Ages. Across the country, several religious
associations organize parades in the town. This usually involves carrying religious images down
the streets.
There is also a very interesting Medieval påsk tradition in the Spanish town of Verges. It
involves a parade with people dancing in skeleton costumes, and the locals call it the “dance of
death”.
Scandinavian witch and egg easter
At last, there should also be a place for our own easter celebration. In most Nordic countries like
Sweden, our traditions are incredibly similar to American Halloween. The difference is you dress up as a easter witch on Easter in Swedn. Children dress up as Easter witches and roam around town asking for candy at every house they stop by.
French Easter with a huge omelet
There is a French tradition that has originated in the small town of Haux. It involves cooking a
huge omelet, and people come from all over France to experience the largest omelet for påsk.
The tradition is associated with Napoleon. When his army was traveling through France, they
stayed in the small town and ate omelets frequently. The omelet was so good that Napoleon
demanded the people gather and cook a giant omelet for his army. Until this day the tradition
remains.
German traditional Easter is filled with eggs
The traditional påsk egg hunt is a German tradition that has been adopted worldwide. It is only
logical that one of the largest celebrations in Germany is egg hunts involving thousands of
colorful eggs. Children and even grown-ups chase these eggs in parks and streets. This is one
of the most interesting påsk traditions you should definitely do if you have kids.
Czech Republic’s Easter is definitely weird
As we move East, there are weirder and weirder Easter traditions you should know about. Czech
Republic has a very uncommon påsk celebration. During Easter Monday, Czechs men of all
ages walk around the streets with decorated sticks looking for women that they can gently whip.
This tradition is common across neighboring countries like Slovakia.
In Hungary, there is also a similar tradition. Men dress up in traditional costumes, but instead of
using sticks and gently whipping women, men carry perfume and water and spill it over women’s
heads. Similarly in Poland, the tradition involves throwing buckets of water, or water balloons.
Påsk Monday is often referred to as “Wet Monday”.
Celebrate Easter in Bermuda by flying a kite
In Bermuda, påsk is celebrated in a completely different way. The tradition involves flying kites.
So most of the people will create their own kites, with different colors, and even different figures.
It is an extremely interesting tradition that is not found in any other place.
New Zealander’s hunt rabbits instead of eggs
In New Zealand, there is an odd påsk tradition. Instead of hunting for decorated eggs, New
Zealanders hunt rabbits. The tradition is reminiscent of older times. A long time ago, rabbits
were so common in New Zealand that they were seen as an invasive species. That would
destroy crops, and it was common for farmers to constantly hunt them. This is where the
tradition got its start.
Australian Easter
Over the recent years, Australia has adopted a new påsk tradition that reflects its culture.
Instead of the traditional chocolate bunnies, we find everywhere else in the world, Australi has a
different animal – the bilby. The bilby used to be a common animal in Australia that is incredibly
similar to the rabbit. However, over the recent years, the population of bilbies across Australia
has continued to decrease. In order o raise awareness of this, in Australia, the chocolate rabbit
has since been replaced with the chocolate bilby, but let me tell you it has the same calories as
the rabbit.
Philippines Easter is the weirdest
This has to be the weirdest påsk tradition across the world. The Filipinos are very devoted
Christians, and it is no surprise that they celebrate påsk in their own traditional way. However,
their tradition may shock even the most religious people. Filipinos celebrate påsk by reenacting
the crucifixion of Christ. This includes crucifying themselves, and flagellation. The practice has
even been condemned by the Vatican, which doesn’t like to be associated with such a brutal
tradition.
Easter in Greece is red
It is common for Easter eggs to be decorated with many different colors and patterns. However,
that is only in some parts of the world. In Greece, påsk is completely red. All of the Easter eggs
in Greece are red, and the tradition is deeply rooted in Christianity. As it represents the blood of
Christ, and its importance during this time of the year.
There is also a very interesting påsk tradition that is common in the Greek island of Corfu. The
locals throw pots and pans with water from their windows and balconies.
Brazil has a violent Easter tradition
In Brazil, the tradition is very different from anything you have ever seen. People usually build
mannequins of Judas, and publicly beat them. This deeply Christian tradition is believed to be
an act of revenge on Judas for having betrayed Christ. A more serious Easter tradition in many ways!
Written by: Joao Uva – Criatex SEO
