On April 9, 2023, Christians around the world will observe Easter. The holiday is the oldest and most significant of all Christian festivals. It commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Many adults mark the event by attending special church services. For kids in the US, Easter means egg hunts, parades, and the Easter Bunny. But not everyone celebrates the holiday the same way. Here are a few fun customs you may be tempted to adopt.
Corfu, Greece
On Holy Saturday, the residents of Corfu, Greece, toss water-filled clay jugs called "botides" onto the streets. The tradition, which welcomes spring, is believed to have been inspired by the Italians. They throw out old dishes on New Year's Eve to indicate they are ready for a fresh start.
Australia
In Australia, kids enjoy delicious bilby-shaped chocolates during Easter. The marsupials were once found across the country. But their population has been decimated by feral cats and foxes.
Rose-Marie Dusting, a nine-year-old from Queensland, Australia, first raised awareness of the animals' plight in 1968. Her story, "Billy the Aussie Easter Bilby," gained nationwide attention after it was published as a children's book in 1979. In 1991, the Foundation for Rabbit-Free Australia pushed to replace Easter bunnies with bilbies. Many candy companies now make chocolate bilbies. They donate a portion of the sales to help save the endangered animals.
Florence, Italy
On Easter Sunday, hundreds of people, dressed in 15th-century clothing, escort a 30-foot-tall (9-meter) antique cart filled with fireworks to the Florence Cathedral. The archbishop of Florence sets off the colorful display during Easter mass by lighting a fuse attached to the cart. The fun tradition is known as "Scoppio del Carro," or "explosion of the cart." It is believed to ensure a good harvest in the upcoming year.
Happy Easter!
Resources: Wikipedia.org, News18.com, theculturetrip.com
