Spring is finally here, and this year Easter is celebrated shortly after its arrival. In the Czech Republic, of course, this means pomlázky, Easter eggs and lamb, but in the world they have other traditions. See how Easter is celebrated around the world.
is one of the most important holidays in the world. But as they say, different region, different manners. While some Easter traditions and customs are slightly similar to those we have here in the Czech Republic, some are completely out of line. Each country celebrates Easter differently and it is very interesting to observe how these holidays are celebrated in other cultures. While for Christians it is a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, in many cultures the holidays are intertwined with ancient pagan celebrations of spring.
How Easter is celebrated around the world
For starters, we’ll stay in Europe. Of course, in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, Easter must not be missing, which men and boys “gently and very decently indeed” whip women to keep them young and healthy. But men often don’t know where the line between fun and injury is, so quite a few women can look forward to painful bruises instead of health and youth. Gentlemen, if you don’t have this sense of boundaries, I beg you, don’t do it, just a little note.
As for traditions outside the Czech and Slovak basins, in Poland they have so-called wet Mondays. This consists of people pouring water on each other as a symbol of purification and health.In Germany and Austria, Easter bonfires are lit to symbolically burn away the winter and welcome the arrival of spring. When we move slightly away from our neighbors, they also have an interesting tradition in Sweden. Children dress up as witches, go from house to house and give out drawings in exchange for sweets.
In Italy, Easter is really a deeply religious holiday full of processions, family gatherings and food. In Rome, the Pope leads the Way of the Cross to the Colosseum and gives the Urbi et Orbi blessing on Sunday. Traditional Colombo is bakedand while here symbolically sweet roast lamb is eaten, in Italy lamb is served. Great emphasis is also placed on the family, which should spend most of these days together. If we move beyond the borders of Europe, in the United States, egg hunts and the “Easter Egg Roll” event at the White House are among the most famous Easter traditions.
Different region, different manners
Some Latin American countries can shockas they are very different from the Czech and Slovak ones. That is where the Judas effigy is burned, as a symbol of betrayal and evil. This custom may also include explosions or other dramatic elements. In Mexico, Easter is celebrated with traditional food, music and dance, which give the holiday a fresh and slightly festive atmosphere. One of the most shocking traditions is probably the one that takes place in the Philippines. This is where real stagings of the scourging and crucifixion of Jesus Christ take place, where believers voluntarily allow themselves to be nailed to the cross or voluntarily scourge themselves to imitate the suffering of Jesus. In Corfu, Greece, people throw clay pots and jugs out of their windows on Holy Saturday. This tradition is meant to welcome spring and symbolize the harvest.
