Look for an Easter tradition more exotic than chocolate gifts or an egg hunt? You wouldn't be the first - so take a look at...
Two parishes (Angios Marcos and Panaghia Ereithiani) take part in this annual tradition by launching homemade fireworks at the opposing house of worship. Victory is supposedly decided by the number of direct hits to the belfry (though neither side concedes defeat.)
Obviously, this is a rather dangerous activity. The rocket builders risk life and limb from the unstable explosives they create. Amazingly, this is the safer version of the event. At one point real cannons were used... but, they were confiscated in 1889!
During these events, two contestants strike a cooked egg against that of their opponent, seeking to crack the shell. Sometimes these eggs are decorated red using dyes or onion skin, but in other cases (such as the 'jarping' competition of Hartlepool) the eggs enter battle unadorned.
According to legend, the tradition stems from a peace treaty between the town founders and the Comanches in 1847. Alternatively, the fires might be the remnants of pagan traditions brought over by German settlers.
'Scoppio del Carro' is said to have roots in the Crusades, when the Florentine Pazzino received three flints from the holy sepulcher as a reward for bravery. He brought them back to Florence, and each year, they are used to light an Easter candle. The candle is used to light some coals, which are placed on the rigged cart... which is brought before the Duomo by costumed officials, handlers and musicians.
During the ceremony, the archbishop of Florence lights a dove-shaped firework. The dove shoots down a length of wire between the Duomo and the cart, setting off the fireworks nestled within!
This multi-day festival is said to stem from an encounter with Napoleon. He was so impressed by the quality of the eggs served in the region that he commanded the locals to prepare a massive omelet for his troops!
The book (titled "Bergen Train Looted in the Night") got front-page billing in the Aftenposten newspaper, and the resulting drama led to a lot of public interest. It also helped that the book dwelt on time skiing between cabins, something the Norwegians already associated with Easter. The idea resonated with the populace, and it was enough to start a yearly tradition of reading crime novels during Easter break.
Introduced in 1524 by Spanish conquistadors, the carpets have grown in scale over the last few centuries - in some cases they cover an entire city block and can even depict short stories. Depending on their complexity, carpets can be made in days or minutes. Sometimes, enthusiastic artists will improvise a carpet at the sound of an advancing parade, finishing moments before the first foot touches their art.
It's not as dark as it seems. As a fast-reproducing (and invasive) species, the rodents pose a massive risk to the local ecosystem - an annual hunt helps keep their number in check. Twelve-strong teams of shooters compete to take down as many of the pests as possible. In 2021, the leading teams took down over a thousand rabbits each.
This tradition stems from an attempt to spread the Christian gospel. Seeking to demonstrate the ascent of Christ into the heavens, one enterprising educator produced and flew a colorful kite. How effective it was as a preaching aid is unknown, but the kites themselves caught on - there's even an annual kite festival.
This happens every year, with some opting to repeat the experience - Ruben Enaje underwent the process 33 times. The rite is frowned upon by both the church and medical professionals, but the extremely devout take part regardless. To them, wounds that can take weeks to heal are a small price to show their faith.
- Firework wars
- Egg-tapping duels
- The burning hilltops of Texas
- A holy exploding cart
- A giant Napoleonic omelet
- The Norway 'Crime Novel Fest'
- Colorful street carpets
- The great New Zealand rabbit hunt
- Humming kites
- Voluntary crucifixion
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| It's more dramatic than an egg hunt, to be sure... (nataliaaggiato) |
1. The Rocket Wars of Chios
What better way to celebrate Easter than to launch fireworks at a rival church? It may sound like a bad comedy sketch, but 'Rouketopolemos' from the island of Chios is very real.Two parishes (Angios Marcos and Panaghia Ereithiani) take part in this annual tradition by launching homemade fireworks at the opposing house of worship. Victory is supposedly decided by the number of direct hits to the belfry (though neither side concedes defeat.)
Obviously, this is a rather dangerous activity. The rocket builders risk life and limb from the unstable explosives they create. Amazingly, this is the safer version of the event. At one point real cannons were used... but, they were confiscated in 1889!
2. Egg-Tapping Duels
In some cultures (including Greek, Armenian and British), a ritualized battle between eggs can be a part of the Easter festivities - and in addition to the links between Easter and eggs, Christians may use the cracking shells to symbolize the resurrection of Christ.During these events, two contestants strike a cooked egg against that of their opponent, seeking to crack the shell. Sometimes these eggs are decorated red using dyes or onion skin, but in other cases (such as the 'jarping' competition of Hartlepool) the eggs enter battle unadorned.
3. The Burning Hilltops of Texas
Seemingly taken straight from a horror movie, the town of Fredericksburg, Texas, celebrates Easter by setting the hills aflame. To add to the spectacle, celebrants dress up as pioneers, Comanches... or Easter bunnies. Stacks of brush and firewood placed on the hilltops are then set alight, creating the illusion that the hills are on fire.According to legend, the tradition stems from a peace treaty between the town founders and the Comanches in 1847. Alternatively, the fires might be the remnants of pagan traditions brought over by German settlers.
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| An exploding cart seems a little undignified for Florence... (Miller_Eszter) |
4. The Holy Exploding Cart of Florence
The citizens of Florence celebrate Easter in a rather unique way: They load up a cart with fireworks and detonate them outside of the cathedral.'Scoppio del Carro' is said to have roots in the Crusades, when the Florentine Pazzino received three flints from the holy sepulcher as a reward for bravery. He brought them back to Florence, and each year, they are used to light an Easter candle. The candle is used to light some coals, which are placed on the rigged cart... which is brought before the Duomo by costumed officials, handlers and musicians.
During the ceremony, the archbishop of Florence lights a dove-shaped firework. The dove shoots down a length of wire between the Duomo and the cart, setting off the fireworks nestled within!
5. The Giant Napoleonic Omelet
Each Easter in Bessières, France, an order of knights gathers for a unique quest: to cook a giant omelet. The 'Knights of the Giant Omelet' produce a massive dish containing 15,000 eggs, tending it with 'spoons' closer to oars in size and shape.This multi-day festival is said to stem from an encounter with Napoleon. He was so impressed by the quality of the eggs served in the region that he commanded the locals to prepare a massive omelet for his troops!
6. The Norway Crime Novel Fest
In Norway, crime novels are an integral part of Easter. The tradition is over a century old and began when authors Nordahl Grieg and Nils Lie decided to try a novel way to promote a crime book - they obscured the fact that it was fictional.The book (titled "Bergen Train Looted in the Night") got front-page billing in the Aftenposten newspaper, and the resulting drama led to a lot of public interest. It also helped that the book dwelt on time skiing between cabins, something the Norwegians already associated with Easter. The idea resonated with the populace, and it was enough to start a yearly tradition of reading crime novels during Easter break.
7. The Colorful Street Carpets of Antigua
In Antigua, locals use natural materials to produce alfombras (colorful carpets of flowers, foliage and sawdust) during the Easter holiday. When the parades are over, street sweepers can remove all evidence in a matter of minutes, wiping the 'canvas' clean for the next day.Introduced in 1524 by Spanish conquistadors, the carpets have grown in scale over the last few centuries - in some cases they cover an entire city block and can even depict short stories. Depending on their complexity, carpets can be made in days or minutes. Sometimes, enthusiastic artists will improvise a carpet at the sound of an advancing parade, finishing moments before the first foot touches their art.
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| They do need to be controlled, but still... (Pppoppy) |
8. The Great New Zealand Rabbit Hunt
Most places use an Easter rabbit as decoration... but in New Zealand, they shoot them. In the areas surrounding Alexandra in Central Otago, hunters gather at Easter to cull the bunny hordes.It's not as dark as it seems. As a fast-reproducing (and invasive) species, the rodents pose a massive risk to the local ecosystem - an annual hunt helps keep their number in check. Twelve-strong teams of shooters compete to take down as many of the pests as possible. In 2021, the leading teams took down over a thousand rabbits each.
9. Bermuda Kite Festival
On Good Friday, Bermudians can be found flying colorful (and often homemade) kites. These are designed to make a buzzing or humming sound as they fly, adding to the spectacle.This tradition stems from an attempt to spread the Christian gospel. Seeking to demonstrate the ascent of Christ into the heavens, one enterprising educator produced and flew a colorful kite. How effective it was as a preaching aid is unknown, but the kites themselves caught on - there's even an annual kite festival.
10. Voluntary Crucifixion in the Philippines
In the Philippines, some particularly devoted souls opt to celebrate Easter by undergoing a brief crucifixion. Though not lethal, nails are driven through the hands and feet before the devote is hauled aloft on a cross.This happens every year, with some opting to repeat the experience - Ruben Enaje underwent the process 33 times. The rite is frowned upon by both the church and medical professionals, but the extremely devout take part regardless. To them, wounds that can take weeks to heal are a small price to show their faith.
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