April 2019 - The English Times April Newspaper | Page 15

EASTER AROUND THE WORLD
VITÓRIA AIKO
Have you ever wondered how different nations around the globe celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus
Christ? There are 2.2 billion Christians out there, who thank and pray for the same things you do
1. SWEDEN 4. BRAZIL
In Sweden, Easter is a long holiday composed of Since Brazil has a large Catholic population, Easter
Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, is considered a very important celebration here.
Easter Sunday and the Monday after. It is one of Supermarkets and stores sell chocolate eggs and
the most important celebrations in the country and historical cities are decorated in the most colorful
the meaning behind the event is the Swedish way as a tribute to the Resurrection of Christ.
folklore and myths rather than Christianity. It is a Families get together for lunch or dinner and
tradition for children to dress as witches to go exchange chocolate eggs. Many Brazilians go to the
asking for chocolates and eggs. mass or parades to celebrate the event.
5. CHINA
China's Christian population is still very small, even
though it's growing. Because of that, Easter is mainly
a profitable celebration in which stores, inspired by
the Western culture, have special sales. However, in
Hong Kong, Easter is a public holiday composed of
the traditional Easter Sunday and the Monday after.
Many federal agencies are closed during these
periods and sightseeing spots might have their
opening and closing hours changed.
2. INDIA 6. AUSTRALIA
India is mainly Hindu and even though only 2.3% of In Australia, the bunny is not the symbol of Easter.
the population is Christian, there is still a significant Instead, the Bilby or Rabbit-Eared Bandicoot (a small
Easter celebration in the country. There are marsupial) is considered the animal of Easter. But
festivals with special music and dances, where why? All because rabbits destroy a lot of plantations
people give each other decorated chocolates and on farms. In 1991 a campaign to turn the Easter Bunny
exchange gifts, such as celebration lanterns. into the Easter Bilby was created in Australia, and
the trend quickly caught on.
3. ITALY
To Italians, Easter is the second most important
Christian celebration, after Christmas. On Good
Friday, the Pope celebrates a special mass in Rome
near the Colosseum, and the Monday after Easter
Sunday (La Pasquetta) is a national holiday. There
are also many traditional parades throughout the
country in which people hold statues of Jesus or
The Virgin Mary. In Florence, the citizens load a
centuries-old cart with fireworks and set them off
in front of the Duomo (scoppio del carro). To them,
that is a sign of peace and a good year ahead.
during Easter. So take a look at some unique Easter traditions in six different countries in the world: