Italians
recognize the season of Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday. Holy
Week--that time period between Palm Sunday and Easter Day--is an
especially important time. Special services are held each day.
There's a solemn procession through the village streets on Good Friday.
People carry a series of crosses and images that represent the events
surrounding Jesus' death. On Saturday a vigil is held through
Sunday morning, followed by a mass to celebrate Jesus'
resurrection.
A large Easter dinner is enjoyed on Sunday, including hard boiled eggs,
and usually some kind of ham. Of course, there are plenty of chocolate
eggs, too. The celebrations continue on Easter Monday; many
families will drive to the country or the beach for a picnic. Or they
might take a trip for spring break.
Mexico
In
Mexico, the Easter holiday consists of two weeks, from Semana
Santa (Holy Week - Palm Sunday to Easter Saturday) to Pascua
(Resurrection Sunday until the following Saturday). In many communities,
the full Passion Play is performed using local people as the actors,
wonderful costumes and realistic props and scenery.
Slovakia
One
of the strongest traditions is the blessing of the Easter basket at the
church by the parish priest. Traditional foods, such as ham, eggs and
kolbasy are eaten. Many families also enjoy Paska, or Eastern
bread.
Sweden
The
Swedish word for Easter is ''Påsk'. It is a solemn religious occasion
and up until recently, every business was closed on Good Friday.
Certain superstitions were attached to Easter. Like the Finish people,
many Swedish people believed that witches were
especially active during this season and that their black magic was very
powerful during this week.
In previous times, people were sometimes hesitant about starting a fire
in the fireplace on Easter morning. To prevent the "Easter
hags" from getting caught in their chimney, people would burn nine
different types of trees. They would also light bonfires, shoot firearms
into the sky and paint holy symbols on their doors to protect themselves
from the witches.
Today these superstitutions take on a much more fun-loving
approach. Like in Finland, girls and boys will dress up as old
hags and visit their neighbors on Holy Thursday or on the day before
Easter. They might leave an Easter card or letter, hoping for a
coin or a piece of candy in return.
Hard boiled eggs are the most common Easter food. The eggs are
decorated, although not as elaborately as in other countries.
USA
In
the U.S., people celebrate the holiday according to their religious
denomination. They may attend various church services during the
holy week and Easter. On Easter Sunday, children wake up to find
that the Easter Bunny has left them a basket of candy. He may have also
hidden decorated eggs in the yard or throughout the house. Sometimes
neighborhoods and organizations will hold separate Easter egg hunts,
awarding prizes to the child who finds the most eggs. (Often, they will
use plastic eggs instead of hard-boiled ones.)
Each year, the White House holds an annual egg roll for children.
Children roll eggs down the hills, a tradition adopted from Germany and
England. The egg rolling symbolizes the rolling of the rock from
Jesus' tomb on Easter.
Many families buy new clothes for Easter, which they will wear to their
church services. Depending on the city or village, the holiday may
also be celebrated with an Easter parade.
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