Explosions, concerts, eggs, crosses: Interesting Easter celebrations from around the world

From Nigeria’s Apostolic Church Easter Concert, to the Vatican’s papal ceremony, Italy’s explosion of the cart, Finland’s bonfire, the White House’s Easter Egg Roll, Jerusalem’s walk to the cross, among others, Easter for many countries is an interesting celebration, writes RITA OKONOBOH.

EASTER, beginning from Palm Sunday, and culminating in the resurrection of Christ culminated on Easter Sunday, the interesting traditions vary across the world.

The White House, on Monday, April 2, 2018, featured the 140th Easter Egg Roll, which took place on the South Lawn of the White House and was hosted by American First Lady Melania Trump.

According to the White House website, www.whitehouse.gov, “The White House Easter Egg Roll dates back to 1878 under the administration of President Rutherford B. Hayes. For the lucky winners of a public lottery held in February, Easter Monday at the White House was a day filled with family activities. Waves of visitors began arriving at 7:30 a.m. for a bright-and-early start to the festivities. As guests made their way through the line on the Ellipse near the White House, they could view illustrated egg cutouts from each state. Once inside, families had a choice of activities, including the classic egg roll, card colouring for American service members, and live music performances. Cabinet Secretaries and senior White House officials read stories aloud to children at a reading nook station.”

• Easter celebration: Nigeria on path of resurrection, progress ―Osinbajo

In Jerusalem, according to Public Radio International, despite the “cold, persistent rain that fell on the ancient Roman cobblestones of the Old City in Jerusalem” on Good Friday, “followers of the three Abrahamic faiths — Jews, Muslims and Christians — were tested by the slippery stones as they all observed their prospective traditions. Christians from around the world carried on with their sombre Good Friday processions along the Via Dolorosa, or The Way of Sorrow.”

In Florence, Italy, the traditional Explosion of the Cart (Scoppio del Carro), was held. As published by www.rove.me, “The explosion of the cart is a special Eastern ritual which takes place in Florence in front of the Duomo (Cathedral) every year on the Holy Sunday. A cart is pulled there by a pair of oxen decorated with flowery garlands. Drummers, Florentine officials, clergy and other people dressed in historical costumes and holding flags follow the cart. In a few minutes the cart starts exploding with colourful fireworks that ensure good harvests and general prosperity of Florentines.”

In Nigeria, among other activities, the Apostolic Church featured an amazing Easter concert, which saw performances by music groups, as well as the church’s orchestra.

In Poland, it is said that there is a ceremony in which people are drenched with water, while Finland is famous for bonfires. Haux in France features a giant omelette, in which people are expected to share in, while Corfu in Greece boasts of the traditional pot-throwing event.