Easter in different parts of the world

Easter commemorates Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem, his last supper, his crucifixion and resurrection. However, there are some places around the world where inhabitants celebrate Easter in very unique ways.

Bermuda

On Good Friday, the locals celebrate by flying home-made kites, eating codfish cakes and hot cross buns. The tradition is said to have begun when a local teacher from the British Army had difficulty explaining Christ’s ascension to Heaven to his Sunday school class. He made a kite, traditionally shaped like a cross, to illustrate the Ascension.

Verges, Spain

 The town of Verges commemorates Holy Thursday with the Dansa de la Mort (Death Dance). During this night procession, participants dress up like skeletons and re-enact scenes associated with Easter. The last skeletons in the parade carry a box of ashes with them.

Easter commemorates Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem, his last supper, his crucifixion and resurrection. However, there are some places around the world where inhabitants celebrate Easter in very unique ways.

Bermuda

On Good Friday, the locals celebrate by flying home-made kites, eating codfish cakes and hot cross buns. The tradition is said to have begun when a local teacher from the British Army had difficulty explaining Christ’s ascension to Heaven to his Sunday school class. He made a kite, traditionally shaped like a cross, to illustrate the Ascension.

Verges, Spain

The town of Verges commemorates Holy Thursday with the Dansa de la Mort (Death Dance). During this night procession, participants dress up like skeletons and re-enact scenes associated with Easter. The last skeletons in the parade carry a box of ashes with them.

Florence, Italy

During Easter, residents of Florence celebrate a 350-year-old tradition called scoppio del carro, which means “explosion of the cart.” A huge, decorated wagon is dragged through the streets by white oxen until it reaches the cathedral. When the Gloria song is sung inside the cathedral, the Archbishop sends a dove-shaped rocket into the cart, igniting a large fireworks display.

Czech Republic

On Easter Monday there’s a tradition in which men spank women with handmade whips made of willow and decorated with ribbons. According to legend, the willow is the first tree to bloom in the spring, so the branches are supposed to transfer the tree’s vitality and fertility to the women. This is meant to be playful spanking all in the name of fun and not to cause pain. 

Easter commemorates Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem, his last supper, his crucifixion and resurrection. However, there are some places around the world where inhabitants celebrate Easter in very unique ways.

Bermuda

On Good Friday, the locals celebrate by flying home-made kites, eating codfish cakes and hot cross buns. The tradition is said to have begun when a local teacher from the British Army had difficulty explaining Christ’s ascension to Heaven to his Sunday school class. He made a kite, traditionally shaped like a cross, to illustrate the Ascension.

Verges, Spain

The town of Verges commemorates Holy Thursday with the Dansa de la Mort (Death Dance). During this night procession, participants dress up like skeletons and re-enact scenes associated with Easter. The last skeletons in the parade carry a box of ashes with them.

Florence, Italy

During Easter, residents of Florence celebrate a 350-year-old tradition called scoppio del carro, which means “explosion of the cart.” A huge, decorated wagon is dragged through the streets by white oxen until it reaches the cathedral. When the Gloria song is sung inside the cathedral, the Archbishop sends a dove-shaped rocket into the cart, igniting a large fireworks display.

Czech Republic

On Easter Monday there’s a tradition in which men spank women with handmade whips made of willow and decorated with ribbons. According to legend, the willow is the first tree to bloom in the spring, so the branches are supposed to transfer the tree’s vitality and fertility to the women. This is meant to be playful spanking all in the name of fun and not to cause pain.

Corfu, Greece

The tradition of “Pot Throwing” takes place on the morning of Holy Saturday. People throw pots, pans and other earthenware out of their windows, smashing them on the street. Some say the custom of throwing pots welcomes spring, symbolizing the new crops that will be gathered in new pots.

Hungary

“Sprinkling” is a popular Hungarian Easter Monday tradition, in which boys playfully sprinkle perfume, cologne or water over young women’s heads, and ask for a kiss. This tradition is associated with a belief that liquids such as water have a cleaning, healing and fertility-inducing effect.

The Easter traditions and celebrations above highlight how diverse the world is