In England and the Netherlands, the tradition is a little different from the rest of Europe. Eggs are not brought by a chicken, a bell or a rabbit, but it is the children themselves who go from house to house begging for Easter eggs.
In France, tradition has it that the bells ring every day of the year calling the faithful to mass. Except at Easter, when they are silent from Thursday to Holy Saturday. They go to Rome to be blessed and bring back eggs of all kinds for good children! As they cross France, they lose their chocolate eggs, chickens, chicks and rabbits to the delight of children who start their Easter egg hunt as the bells strike noon!
In the majority of European countries: Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Poland, Lithuania, Estonia… Easter eggs are painted and decorated. In some countries, like Russia or Poland, decorating eggs is considered to be an art. First, designs are drawn on eggs with beeswax. Then the eggs are dipped in a brightly coloured dye. The dye stains the part of the egg that is not covered by wax.
In Poland, eggs are decorated with intersecting lines, designs in the form of peas, plants, flowers or animals. No two eggs are alike.
In Bulgaria, one or two days before Easter, Christian families have the custom of sending a loaf of bread and 10 to 15 eggs dyed red to their Turkish friends who feel honoured by these presents. The messenger who delivers these eggs traditionally receives a little money in exchange.
In orthodox Russia: The Orthodox Russians have their eggs blessed in church and cook them for their Easter lunch.
In Germany, on the eve of Easter, children make a nest of straw or foam that the parents hide in the garden or in the house so that the Easter Bunny has a place to lay her multi-coloured eggs. Early the next morning, the children go hunting for the eggs! Young Germans will also exchange gifts hidden in a package in the shape of an egg. This tradition was made famous by Kinder and their surprise eggs. Another German tradition is the Easter tree decorated with eggs and small Easter decorations.
An Easter in Ireland is slightly different from the French tradition with children going to hunt for Easter eggs right out of mass. At the break of day in Ireland, they eat eggs to break Lent and later in the day, they dance to win delicious cakes.
In Italy, a priest blesses the Easter eggs that the housewives put in the centre of the table on Easter Sunday. They then have the meal around the eggs.
In Greece on Orthodox Easter day, egg wars are organized in the family. Each participant tries to break his opponent’s egg by hitting it with his own egg. When they hit their opponent’s egg, they both say “CHRISTOS ANESTI”
In Australia, Good Friday is the only day of the year where all the stores are closed. On Easter Day, children look for eggs from the Easter Bunny hidden in the garden.
Easter in Mexico: In Mexico on the eve of Easter, thousands of people take to the streets at night. They symbolically beat, hang or burn images or piñatas representing Judas. The piñatas –filled with candy, sweets and surprises – drop their treasure and sweets when they break.
Source : Internet
