Our journey to discover Easter traditions around the world begins!
How is it celebrated outside Italy? Are there other countries where eggs are given away to celebrate?
France, Germany, United Kingdom, Hungary, Denmark, Sweden, Croatia and the United States: this is where the most beautiful traditions come from!
Easter customs in Europe: this is what happens in France, Germany, Hungary, Denmark, Sweden and Croatia
Tradition and spirituality return on the occasion of Easter when, in Italy, we remember the moment of the Resurrection and we give away chocolate eggs and doves as tradition dictates.
The journey of Universal Dolce among the Easter traditions begins in the nearby France: here from Holy Thursday every bell tower is silenced to remember the legend of the bells which, after having gone to Rome awaiting the announcement of the resurrection, return to their homeland to celebrate by ringing all day.
Here, in addition to the traditional chocolate egg hunt, the French (especially those who live in the South West part) are used to eating a large omelette made with eggs that had not been eaten during the period of Lent, just as the medieval tradition dictates.
From France we move to arrive in Germany where the religious tradition joins the pagan one.
During the Holy Week the houses are decorated with hand-painted eggs and olive branches, in addition:
- on Holy Thursday, as per tradition, only green foods are consumed to protect one's organism;
- on Fridays and Saturdays in some regions deadwood and brush are burned in large bonfires to welcome the spring season;
- on Easter Sunday, the family eats chocolate eggs (a bunny is hidden in those of the little ones), lamb and many other sweets.
Larger, indeed giant, eggs appear in Croatia to be exact in Zagreb where eggs painted by naive artists about two meters high are displayed in front of the cathedral, attracting many curious tourists.
In Hungary there is no trace of eggs: the symbolic food of the feast days is smoked ham and, as tradition dictates, on Easter Monday the girls are bathed with water guns by the boys as a wish for fertility.
In Denmark the older ones celebrate by drinking the typical Easter beer while the little ones are engaged in hunting for the eggs hidden in the trees.
Here we are at the Swedish tradition that wants witches to be the protagonists of Easter, so all the girls and girls dress up doing a sort of trick or treat, bringing greeting cards from house to house in exchange for sweets and coins.
In UK the Easter period is marked by numerous fundraisers and collections for those who are less fortunate: on Holy Thursday, on the occasion of the Royal Maundy in the presence of the Queen, coins are donated to the poorest (the famous Maundy Money).
Easter is the best time for this country to get married: it is said to bring good luck!
Easter around the world: how the United States and Mexico celebrate Easter
The United States is famous around the world with their famous Easter egg rolls, the egg race organized in the garden of the White House every Easter Monday in which young and old participate.
New York is famous in this period for the parade organized on Fifth Avenue where the strangest hats in the world are exhibited: this colorful festival is inspired by the custom of the faithful to bring flowers to church (to be exact St. Thomas and St. Luke) and dress up in very elegant and extravagant clothes and hats.
Finally, Easter in Mexico where the religious component is predominant. In addition to the various functions celebrated, we remember the bonfire known as the Rogo di Giuda, during which a cartoon is burned that commemorates the disciple who betrayed Jesus.
