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Unique Easter Traditions Around the World

written by
Natasha Machado
11/4/2024
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5 min
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Easter is widely celebrated around the world, being a holiday that many use to symbolize the end of the winter cold and the new beginnings that arrive each spring. However, it is not celebrated in the same way everywhere. From Easter mass in Florence to grand omelets in France, here are some of the most peculiar Easter traditions around the globe.

Giant omelet in Bessieres, France

Every year in the town of Bessieres, in the south of France, more than 10,000 people come together for one of the most incredible culinary spectacles you can witness, one of the largest omelets the world has ever seen!

Using exactly 15,000 eggs each year, an association called the Bessieres Giant Omelet Confraternity comes together to dump this impressive amount of eggs into an equally impressive skillet. The omelet takes about 40 minutes to cook and requires large spoons and wooden tools to handle. The result is a beautiful omelet shared across the city.

Witches in Finland

While the image of children dressed as witches asking for candy makes most think of Halloween, it's a clear sign of Easter in Finland. Every year in the Nordic country, children dress up as witches the Sunday before Easter. They go door to door, offering to bless the house in exchange for candies and treats, particularly colored and sometimes even changed chocolate eggs. This long-standing tradition is a way to welcome spring, with hope for a good harvest ahead.

Explosive cart in Florence, Italy

Florence is renowned for its beautiful architecture, incredible food, and rich history. But after mass on Easter morning, it is known as the Scoppio del Carro, which translates to “cart explosion”. A beautiful wagon with elaborate decorations is pulled through the city by two oxen until it reaches the square in front of the Cathedral. It's a beautiful procession and people are generally dressed in their best Easter clothes.

The cart is preloaded with explosives and, at 11 am, the song “Gloria” is sung from inside the church. At that moment, the Archbishop sets fire to a dove-shaped rocket that flies out of the church and collides with the cart. The result is an impressive display of fireworks, applause, and the long-awaited stroller explosion. This exciting ritual dates back more than 350 years and, if carried out without problems, is considered a sign that there will be a good harvest ahead.

Police novels in Norway

While Easter evokes images of flowers, colorful eggs, and cute animals, Norway is a great time for crime! Crime novels, to be exact. Every year, new suspense novels, known as “Paaskekrimmen”, are released around the holiday. This fun tradition is said to have started in 1923, when authors Nordahl Grieg and Nils Lie wrote a detective novel. The week before Easter, their publisher had a brilliant advertising idea, where they would take the headlines from the front page of the newspapers, describing the crime of the book. This remarkable publicity stunt was so convincing that the public thought the reported crimes were real. Since then, Easter has been known as the “crime season” in Norway!

Water sprinkling in Hungary

One of the most peculiar traditions can be found in Hungary. A tradition called “Locsolkodás”, which translates to “sprinkling”, is occasionally celebrated in villages across the country. This tradition has a long history and appears in other countries, including the USA and Poland. It often involves a man sprinkling a woman with water or spraying her with perfume. But in a more extreme case, women dress in traditional clothing and are doused with a bucket of cold water.

Cultural experience and language learning

Participating in these Easter traditions around the world can be an incredible opportunity to delve into local culture and Learn language abroad. Imagine the thrill of watching the cart explode in Florence while practicing your Italian with the locals, or the joy of sharing a giant omelet with new friends in France, improving your French.

In addition, for those who wish to take their learning even further, study at a University abroad Easter can be a transformative experience. You'll have the chance to participate in these unique traditions while expanding your academic horizons and creating lasting connections with people from around the world.

Be easy

Those are just a few of the fascinating Easter traditions celebrated around the globe. Each country has its own unique way of commemorating this special holiday, reflecting its rich history and culture.

If you want to experience these traditions firsthand and delve into language learning, Be Easy it can help. Our exchange programs provide the perfect opportunity to discover new places, immerse yourself in different cultures, and improve your language skills.

Contact us today to learn more about how to make your dream of studying abroad a reality. With Be Easy, you can expand your horizons, make lifelong friends, and create unforgettable memories. Embark on this journey with us and discover a world of possibilities!

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Natasha Machado
Founder e CEO, Be Easy