Easter traditions around the world

·

While Greek Orthodox Christians don’t celebrate Easter until May 2 this year, it’s important to acknowledge the many cultures around the globe that celebrate Easter this weekend and over the coming weeks.

From parades in Mexico to an exploding cart in Florence, Italy, each country and region in the world celebrates the religious holiday in their own unique way. Here’s a look at some notable Easter traditions around the globe.

Florence, Italy

As mentioned briefly above, the Italian city of Florence celebrate Easter with a bang, quite literally. The 350-year-old Easter tradition consists of an ornate cart being packed with fireworks and led through the streets of the city by people in colourful 15th century costumes. The cart stops outside the Duomo where it is blessed by the Archbishop of Florence, who then lights a fuse during Easter mass that leads outside to the cart and sparks a lively fireworks display.

Mexico

Celebrated over the course of two weeks, the people of Mexico put on detailed reenactments of Holy Week. Mexicans have a tradition called the ‘Burning of the Judases’, in which people make giant Papier-mâché Judases and blow them up with fireworks. While these extravagant celebrations are quite common in the North-American region, Mexicans are also known to conduct quieter Easter commemorations, such as visiting 12 churches in 12 days.

Verges, Spain

You may have seen images of the ‘Dance of the Death’ and never known what it meant, or even that it is strongly linked with Easter. The tradition, however, is a representation of the life and crucifixion of Jesus Christ and is held on Good Friday every year. The Danza de la Muerte de Verges procession, as it is also called, takes place to the beat of drums and the participants wear skeleton outfits while carrying scythes, ashes and clocks.

Washington DC, USA

For over 130 years, the White House has hosted the Easter Egg Roll on its South Lawn, becoming an iconic family tradition during Easter. The event was started by President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1878, who issued an order that if any children should come to the White House to roll their Easter eggs, they would be allowed to do so. People may also remember this tradition from the popular Nicholas Cage film ‘National Treasure: Book of Secrets’.

Australia and the United Kingdom

Pancake Day, also known as Shrove Tuesday on the Easter calendar, has become a memorable tradition both in the United Kingdom and in Australia. It is the traditional feast day before the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday. Shrove Tuesday is the last opportunity to use up eggs and fats before embarking on the Lenten fast. So, during old English times, pancakes were made as the perfect way of using up each of these ingredients.

Sourced By: Women’s Day

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Kostas Sloukas praises Greek Australian fans as Panathinaikos arrive in Sydney

Panathinaikos BC touched down in Sydney this week for the second leg of the 7th Pavlos Giannakopoulos Tournament.

From family legacy to the Federal Court: A look into Justice Anastasis Liveris’ legal career

In an exclusive interview with The Greek Herald, the Greek Australian judge reflected on how he felt to achieve this major career milestone.

The Greek influence on Australian television

Among the many communities that helped shape TV culture were Greeks, whose presence both on and off screen left a lasting mark.

Critically endangered monk seal welcomes newborn on Karpathos island

The first Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) birth of 2025 has been confirmed on the island of Karpathos.

Campaigners celebrate as Milos luxury hotel project is halted

Environmental activists have welcomed the suspension of a controversial five-star hotel project on Milos’s world-famous “moon beach”.

You May Also Like

Monastery paintings take shape at small Greek Orthodox church in rural New Zealand

The Sacred Monastery of the Holy Archangels in Levin, New Zealand is in the process of having its walls covered in religious icons.

Archbishop Makarios of Australia meets with Consul General of Greece in Melbourne

Archbishop Makarios of Australia welcomed Melbourne's Greek Consul General, Emmanuel Kakavelakis at the offices of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in Melbourne on Tuesday, March 17. During the...

Federal Labor calls on the British Museum to return the Parthenon Marbles to Greece

Labor has tabled an official motion in the Australian Parliament calling for the Parthenon Marbles to be returned to Greece.