Italy
In Italy, it is customary on the evening of Good Friday to carry the church cross through the streets. This ritual procession commemorates the suffering of Jesus. In Florence, all the bells on the cathedral square begin to ring simultaneously at noon—a tradition dating back to the Crusades. The ringing is meant to protect the Holy Sepulchre from non-believers.
France
On Easter Sunday in the French town of Bessières, a giant omelette is prepared using over 5,000 eggs. The omelette is then shared with all the locals. Legend has it that Napoleon once enjoyed an Easter omelette in Bessières so much that he ordered a massive one for his entire army the next day. Since then, the oversized omelette has become a local tradition.
Mexico
In Mexico, Easter is celebrated nationwide with music, dance, and Passion plays. It is common to reenact the entire Passion of Christ, from his arrest to the resurrection. On Holy Saturday, ritual burnings of Judas effigies take place.
Finland
No joke: In Finland, it is customary to gently whip each other with birch twigs, symbolizing the palm branches used to welcome Jesus in Jerusalem. Another popular tradition involves children dressing up as Easter witches and going door to door.
Poland
Easter Monday in Poland is known as Śmigus-Dyngus, or Wet Monday. On this day, people engage in playful water fights. Anyone out and about may be splashed with water guns or water balloons. The water is believed to wash away bad luck and misfortune.
