We all have our own favorite Easter traditions – but Easter is celebrated differently around the world – and each tradition is wildly unique.
In some countries – traditions include everything from shooting the Easter bunny while other places gather to cook a gigantic 15,000 egg omelet!
So if you’re looking to learn how other people celebrate Easter from all around the world – check out these unique celebrations below.
Shoot The Easter Bunny In New Zealand
Here in America, we may dress up our little ones to have their picture taken with the Easter Bunny – with the crying and screaming included!.
But in New Zealand, locals take part in the ‘Great Easter Bunny Hunt’ – hoping to rid their land of these “nuisance” creatures that threaten their agriculture.
And we’re not talking about just shooting a bunny here or there.
The hunt is actually an event with teams competing to shoot the most bunnies – ultimately killing thousands of bunnies every year.
The Alexandra Lions Club organizes the event – and long-time participant Dave Ramsay says people travel from all over the country to Alexandra, Central Otago, to participate in the great kill.
The Guardian reported the 2021 stats:
“Between 8am on Good Friday and noon on Easter Sunday 11,968 rabbits were shot, along with 555 stoats, possums, turkeys and other pest animals. Ramsay said it was a “very presentable total” but unlikely to have a significant impact on rabbit populations in the area – testament to their great numbers.”
Take A Bite From The World’s Biggest Omelet in France
On Easter Sunday you might whip up a massive 3-egg omelet in your home – but that’s nothing compared to the 15,000 eggs it takes to cook the world’s biggest Easter omelet!
In the town of Bessières, France, thousands gather each year to watch a gigantic egg omelet cooked outdoors in the town square – which ends up feeding roughly 10,000 people!
Insanity, but sounds fun!
The wooden spoons used to “stir the eggs” look more like oars.
Ha!
And the entire Easter Sunday is a day of festivities and celebrations complete with dancing and music.
Red Easter Eggs In Greece
In Greece – you’ll see Easter eggs dyed red, a practice that begins on Holy Thursday.
And it’s not just because the Greeks love the color red – the color signifies the red blood Jesus shed on the cross to pay for the sins of the world and reconcile those who believe in Him back to God.
Like many countries in the world, Easter is a holy time in Greece – full of fasting and prayer.
And according to the Greek Reporter, Greeks use the entire egg as a symbol – with the eggshell representing the sealed tomb of Jesus and it being cracked open symbolizing His resurrection from the dead.
Local Traditions
Here in the United States, Christians also revere Easter as the most important day on the Christian calendar, and can be found singing and celebrating the resurrection of Jesus in their local church.
Others love the novelty of “Easter traditions” and enjoy Easter egg hunts or decorating Easter eggs with their children.
And of course – almost all of us have the infamous Easter Bunny photo complete with the screaming toddler!
Personally, I spend the Easter season remembering all Jesus has done and the miracle of His death and resurrection – and I start off Easter Sunday with a sunrise church service on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C.
But however you choose to celebrate Easter, it’s inspiring to know that millions of others are celebrating with you – each in their own unique way.
Happy Easter from all of us at Proud American Traveler to you and your loved ones!
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