Pisanki - Polish Easter Eggs
In Poland and among other Slavic countries, many people decorate eggs known as pisanki. The tradition has been passed down for generations, starting in pagan times.
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There are many techniques and methods for decorating the eggs. The most common way is using melted wax to create designs on the shell, followed by dipping the egg in dye afterwards. In the end, a complex and beautiful design emerges. The dye color and symbols represented in the designs hold meaning to their cultures.
In Metro Detroit, the Polish Art Center in Hamtramck embraces this tradition by teaching people about pisanki. Workshops are held monthly. For more information, visit the Polish Art Center’s website.
Bermuda Kites
During Easter weekend in the island of Bermuda, families gather to make and fly homemade kites. The kites hold deep meaning, symbolizing hope, renewal and reflection.
Kite makers use locally sourced materials such as twine and bamboo when crafting. The fabrics and designs are chosen to reflect the island’s beauty. This celebration has been passed on through may generations.
Påskekrim - Crime Fiction in Norway
An especially unique tradition occurs in Norway throughout the Easter holiday. Påskekrim, which translates to “Easter crime”, gains a lot of popularity during the season. Norwegians consume a large amount of crime fiction on TV or in books.
The tradition dates back to 1923 when two Norwegian authors, Nordahl Grieg and Nils Lie, carried out a marketing stunt to promote their new crime novel. The book, “Bergenstoget plyndret i natt!”, translated as “the Bergen train was robbed last night!” was advertised in newspapers appearing as a real news story. Many people believed the story was true and the book ended up a bestseller. As a result, an unintentional nationwide appetite for crime fiction during Easter sparked, with publishers continually jumping on the trend.
Chocolate Easter Bilbies - Australia
In most countries, the Easter Bunny remains the mascot for this time of year. However, in Australia, a more local animal is used as its representative. Australians do not like having rabbits around, that’s because back in the 1800s, the species was first brought to Australia by European settlers. The rabbit population grew as they became an invasive species in the area.
In 1991, Rabbit-Free Australia launched a campaign to bring light back to one of their local endangered species, the bilby. They worked to replace the “Easter Bunny” in Australia with the “Easter Bilby” to highlight bilby conservation and warn Australians about the dangers rabbits pose to their land. Across Australia, bilby-shaped chocolates and merchandise are sold as an alternative.
Easter in Corfu, Greece
On the island of Corfu in Greece, residents gather on their balconies on the Saturday before Easter to throw large clay pitchers in the streets. Church bells ring as the pitchers are thrown, usually in the most crowded place on the island near the Liston.
The tradition lasts several minutes, but its origin is not completely known. Many say it comes from the Venetians.
