Created by : Petra Osztrosics Rebeka Pál Easter in Europe

One of the holiest festivals in the Christian calendar, Easter, is celebrated around the world, with great fanfare and religious fervor. While the religious observations of the festival follow the Christian church, the basic contours of Easter celebration may vary in different countries, due to regional influences. These variations straddle almost all the aspects of Easter celebration. In the majority of countries, Easter bunny is the prominent Easter symbol, while in France, Easter fish and bells are the major Easter icons. Pre-Lent carnivals are held across the world, with Rio de Janeiro carnival being the most famous one. In many Eastern European countries, Easter egg decoration is an integral part of Easter celebrations.

However, in today's age of rampant commercialization, the religious significance of Easter is fast losing its relevance. People are increasing embracing the festive aspect of the festival and Good Friday and Easter Monday have become a welcome extension to the weekend and a chance to go on the first spring vacation. Over the years, the festival has taken the shape of a wonderful occasion to hang around with the long lost friends, close relatives and family members, and to have a lot of fun together. In our related section, know all about Easter celebrations around the world. In many parts of Europe, huge bonfires are lighted on hilltops and in churchyards on Easter Eve. They are sometimes called Judas fires, because effigies of Judas Iscariot are frequently burned in them. The Easter bonfires predate Christianity and were originally intended to celebrate the arrival of spring. The burning effigy once symbolized winter.

Easter in Italy : Italians call it La Pasqua. The Easter is celebrated with a real big feast in this Mediterranean country. The Paschal feast is celebrated with Agnellino, Italy's special popular dish for the Easter. This is a roasted baby lamb. Children enjoy a rich bread made specially for the Easter. It is shaped like a crown and studded with colored Easter egg candies. Easter in Germany : The German call it Ostern, possibly by the name of the Anglo Saxon goddess of spring, Eostre. School children have about three weeks holiday at Easter. No one works on Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday. Many people eat fish on Good Friday and on Easter Saturday evening there is often a big Easter bonfire. This is very popular and lots of people gather to watch. These Easter fires are burnt as symbols of the end of the winter and any bad feelings. On Easter Sunday families have nice breakfasts together. Parents then hide Easter baskets with sweets, eggs and small presents. Hand-painted eggs decorated with traditional designs are exchanged among friends. Earlier, it was customary in many regions for the village girls to present their suitors with a red egg.Many eat fish on Good Friday.

Easter in Netherlands: The Dutch call it Pasen or Pasen Zondag. Throughout the country Easter is celebrated as a great spring holiday. People lay tables for Easter dinner with charming decoration of colored eggs and early flowers. Sweet bread stuffed with raisins and currant, is one of the favorite dishes of the Easter feast. Easter in Sweden: The Swedish call it Påskdagen. Throughout the country the egg, symbol of life and resurrection, is featured in all Easter food and Easter games. Every household has egg coloring parties. Egg rolling contests are the favorite Easter activity of younger boys and girls. Palm Sunday is observed with palm fronds. The Easter Eve is celebrated with bonfires. Shooting of fireworks lives on as the tradition.

Easter in Russia : Easter in Russia is celebrated according to the rituals laid down by the Eastern Orthodox Church. Apart from differences in rites and rituals, the bone of contention between Western Christians (Protestants and Roman Catholics) and the Eastern Orthodox Christians is the date of Easter celebration. In determining the vernal equinox, the Eastern Church uses the Julian calendar while the Western Church employs the Gregorian calendar which creates about 13 days difference between the two. The Eastern Church calculates it from March 21 by their calendar, which lies April 3 by the Gregorian calendar. Moreover, whereas Western Churches hold Easter sunrise services, in Russian Orthodox Church Easter services last all through Saturday night. The congregation gathers in the church or cathedral on Saturday evening and takes part in an Easter vigil commemorating the buried Christ. Orthodox churches in Russia have an inner sanctuary away from the reach of worshipers, and only to the access of the priest. On this day, the door is closed till midnight but at the stroke of midnight, the priest opens the door and comes out saying "Christ is risen! Christ is risen! Christ is risen!" and after hours of silent anticipation, the worshippers rely back He is risen indeed!"

Easter in Bulgaria: Congregation At midnight on the Saturday before Easter Sunday, people in Bulgaria gather at church, with red painted eggs and bread. The priest proclaims three times "Christos Voskrese" (Christ has risen) and the congregation replies "Vo istina voskrese" (Indeed he has risen). One of the Easter breads is specially decorated with one or more (but an odd number) of red eggs. After a special sequence of services, the clergy blesses the breads and eggs brought by the people. Good Luck Crack The Bulgarian 'good luck crack' is a unique Easter tradition in Bulgaria. Eggs are cracked after the midnight service and over the next few days, during the festive season of Easter. On Easter, the eggs are cracked before lunch. The egg that is cracked on the wall of the church is the first egg that people eat after the long fast of Lent. People take turns in tapping their eggs against the eggs of others, and the person who ends up with the last unbroken egg is believed to have a year of good luck. He/she is considered as the most successful, healthy and happy person for the rest of the year.

Easter in Poland: Easter is one of the major Christian festivals celebrated in order to commemorate the holy resurrection of Jesus Christ after his crucifixion. This festival is celebrated as the holy day of hope and auspiciousness in all the countries where the people of Christian community reside. This festival is generally marked with extensive church service and festivities. Though the celebration of Easter is more or less the same in every country, a little difference can be observed in regional practices and traditions. Like the other central-European nations, Easter is a prominent festival in Poland also. The rich cultural heritage of Poland is reflected in the Eastertide celebrations. While religious ceremonies follow the rituals of the Christian church, Easter celebrations have imbibed elements of native Polish culture. There are several such traditions that seem to be the confluence of the polish and Christian culture. Therefore apart from some regular Easter rituals, there are certain Polish rituals which make Easter celebrations, a little different in the country.

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