Easter Traditions around the world

Easter is almost here and no doubt you have your own tradition on how to spend the day. Some families will focus on the Christian activities, attending church services and taking part in activities like the Good Friday Walk of Witness. Others will exchange Easter eggs or celebrate a different holiday altogether.

Here are some of the celebrations you can find around the world.

Having Egg Fights

In Bulgaria, eggs aren’t hidden for Easter egg hunts, they are thrown at people instead! Whoever finishes the game with an unbroken egg is the winner and assumed to be the most successful member of the family over the next year.

Hanging eggs in trees

In Germany their decorated eggs are hung in trees for everyone to admire.

Breaking pots

In Corfu the tradition on Holy Saturday is to throw pots and pans out of their windows so that they smash on the street.

Massive omelettes

In Haux in France, it is an annual tradition to create an omelette in the town square. The omelette usually contains around 5000 eggs and feeds a couple of thousand people.

Beating up straw dolls

In Brazil one of the main traditions at Easter is creating small straw dolls which are said to represent Judas. The dolls are hung up and beaten, a carnival is then held on Easter Sunday to celebrate the end of Lent.

Throwing water on girls

In Hungary and Poland, the tradition is for men to sprinkle water, perfume or cologne over young women. It’s supposedly because water has a cleaning, healing and fertility-inducing effect but we suspect it is a lot of fun for young boys with nearby girls to torment.

Celebrating with the Easter Witch

In Sweden, there is an Easter Witch –children dress up in costumes and walk from home to home trading paintings and drawings in exchange for sweets.

Visiting the president

In the USA, the President hosts an Annual Easter Egg Roll on the lawn of the White House on Easter Monday. The tradition started in the 19th century and each president since then has brought their own flair to the event.