Easter Around the World
Easter is one of the most important
festivals in the Christian calendar, celebrated throughout the world with great
pomp and show. There are a few things, such as the Easter eggs, bunnies and
chocolates that are common to Easter celebrations allover the world. Yet, we can
see a glimpse of local traditions during the Easter festival in different parts of the
world. Right from north to south and east to west, we find a tinge of local flavor in
Easter celebrations in various countries across the world. In our write up about
Easter celebrations around the globe, we have covered some really interesting and
fascinating activities of the Easter occasion in the US, Australia, Europe, Mexico
and other nations.
Easter in Europe
Like all other festivals and holidays, Easter is also celebrated in different fashions
in different parts of the world. Many countries of Europe, celebrate Easter by
lighting giant bonfires on hilltops and in churchyards on Easter Eve.
Easter in England
Easter in England is celebrated through the exchange of Easter Eggs and other gifts
like clothes, chocolates or holidays packages. Easter bonnets or baskets are also
made that have fillings like daffodils in them.
Easter in Germany
In Germany, Easter is known by the name of Ostern. Easter holidays for children
last for about three weeks. Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday are the
days when people do not work at all.
Easter in Australia
Australia is the land of people that belongs to a number of countries. Different
people have brought in different traditions with them, due to which, Easter
celebrations take place in a variety of ways.
Easter in Mexico
Semana Santa and Pascua (two separate observances) form a part of Easter
celebrations in Mexico. Semana Santa stands for the entire Holy Week, from Palm
Sunday to Easter Saturday, whereas the Pascua is the observance of the period
from the Resurrection Sunday to the following Saturday.
Easter in US
Easter is one of the most popular festivals across the United States. Though Easter
has a religious background, it has assumed to have more of a secular character in
the United States.
Easter in Other Parts
Easter is known as Paques in France. The main celebration sets off on Good Friday
with a somber note. To mourn the crucifixion of Christ, church bells are not rung
for three days. On Easter morning, the children hurry into the garden to watch the
bells "Fly back from Rome".
Easter in Brazil
In Brazil, Easter festivity is held with much grandeur and splendor. Unlike most of
the other countries, Brazil has its Easter celebrations taking place in the autumn
season, due to its geographical location.
Easter in France
The historic country of France celebrates Easter with a lot of enthusiasm and zeal.
Known as Pâques in French, Easter is one of the major festivals in the country.
Easter in Greece
Known for practicing religious fervor through Orthodox Christianity, Greece
observes Easter as its main religious festivity, according to the ancient Greek
religious calendar.
Easter in India
India is a land of cultural diversity, where every festival is celebrated with great
pomp and show. Although Christians constitutes a meager 2.5% of the total
population in India, the festivity of Easter is no less.
Easter in Italy
Dominated by the Christian faith, Italy celebrates Easter with great fanfare and
vigor. Known as 'Pasqua' in Italian, Easter makes the entire country have fun with
games and concerts.
Easter in Norway
In Norway, the Eastertide starts early i.e. a day before the commencement of the
Lent season. This day is known as ‘ Vastelavent’ or ‘ Schrovetide’ . It is from
this day that Norwegians start celebrating the upcoming festive occasion, spring
season and a new working year.
Easter in Poland
Poland is known all over the world for its faith in Orthodox Christianity. Hence,
the country celebrates Easter in a very conventional style, mainly adhering to the
traditional ways.
Easter in Romania
In Romania, Easter is celebrated as per the rituals followed by the Eastern
Orthodox Church. High spirits and festive mood engulfs the country on Easter. The
celebrations begin almost a week before Easter Day.
Easter in Russia
Russia has an amalgamation of Western Christians and Eastern Orthodox
Christians and hence, celebrates Easter according to both the ways. However,
taking into consideration the fact that even the basic thing of celebration i.e. the
date of the festival is different for both the sects; the task seems to be quite tough.
Easter in Spain
Easter is regarded as the most important festival in Spain. Known as ‘ Semana
Santa’ in Spanish, it is an occasion of celebration and merriment. The celebrations
start with ‘ Domingo de Ramos’ , or Palm Sunday, and finish with ‘ Lunes de
Pascua’ , or Easter Monday.
Easter in Sweden
In Sweden, Easter is more than just a festival. It is religious occasion that is
celebrated with great splendor and glory. The grandeur of the festival is seen from
the fact that a week before Easter, the entire country revels in the Eastertide
festivities and shops are gaily decorated in festive symbols.
Easter in Switzerland
Easter calls for a time to celebrate and rejoice the resurrection of Jesus, in all the
parts of the world. When it comes to Easter celebrations, Switzerland is not far
behind.
Easter in Canada
A major festival in Canada, Easter is celebrated with much magnificence and
elaboration. It is a time for attending church and spending quality time with family
and friends.
Easter in New Zealand
Easter celebrations in New Zealand have become more secular over the years as
the festival is more about chocolate eggs and bunny rabbits. People assume the
holiday to be a lovely long weekend.
Easter in the Netherlands
Known as Pass Zondag in Dutch, Easter is associated with special meals in the
Netherlands. The cross forms the main symbol of Easter that is decorated with
flowers or young leaves.
Easter in Denmark
Known as Pĺske in Danish, Easter is the most important festival in the
Scandinavian region of Denmark. It is celebrated with colorful traditions that form
a part of the national heritage of Denmark.
Easter in Hungary
The springtime festival of Easter is celebrated with folk traditions in Hungary. The
Easter eggs are considered to be more of a decorative item as part of the Hungary
Easter traditions.
Easter in Israel
Thousands of pilgrims and tourists travel from across the world to Israel to
celebrate the holy festival of Easter in the Holy Land of Jerusalem. Holy fire lights
and candles symbolize the resurrection of Jesus Christ here.
History of Easter
Easter is one of the most important
and popular Christian holidays observed in the modern Christian churches. It is
celebrated to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, three days after he was
tortured to death. Easter falls on the last day of the lent season. Lent season is a
long period of celebrations that starts from Ash Wednesday and ends with Easter.
The occasion is celebrated by young and old, rich and poor, man and woman and
people of all races alike. The origin of Easter dates back to the beginning of
Christianity. It is probably the oldest Christian observance, after the Sabbath
(originally observed on Saturday, later on Sunday). Later, the Sabbath
subsequently came to be regarded as the weekly celebration of the Resurrection. A
convergence of three traditions - Pagan, Hebrew and Christian can be seen in many
of the traditions and observances.
Most of us are not aware that Easter is also the name of an ancient Saxon festival,
Eastre. Eastre is the pagan goddess of spring and offspring. The ancient Saxons
used to celebrate the return of spring with a hilarious festival, commemorating
their goddess of offspring and of springtime, Eastre. Today, Easter bunnies, lilies
and eggs form an important part of the Easter celebrations all across the world. Of
old traditions, Easter coincides with the Jewish Passover, a Hebrew celebration,
also known as Pesach. Thus, Europeans also apply 'Pasch' to derive another name
for Easter. Passover is celebrated to mark the freedom of the Israelis from bondage
and slavery after over 300 years. And it was during Passover in 30 A.D. that Jesus
was crucified for blasphemous.
Unlike modern-day, Easter celebrations did not always follow a specific calendar.
This Pagan festival was changed from a celebration of the spring to a celebration
of the resurrection of Jesus by the Christian church. It was only after 325 A.D. that
the observance of Easter was set after the first full moon, following the equinox. In
the West, Easter is observed by the churches on the first Sunday following the full
moon that falls on or after the Spring equinox or 21st of March every year. Thus,
Easter is celebrated on different dates every year that usually fall between March
22nd and April 25th. Prior to this time, early Christian churches observed Easter at
various dates during the spring. This was due, in part, to the Jewish festival of
Passover, which was also observed at the same time of year. Easter is marked as a
grand celebration in America and across the globe. This festival denotes life,
rejuvenation, renewal, rebirth and restoration.
