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While Brits hide chocolate bunnies, make spring-themed hats or put their feet up and enjoy a hot, buttery cross bun, countries around the world celebrate Easter with their own strange traditions.
From hiding cigarettes near churches to making a giant omelette and spanking family friends, each country has a unique time to celebrate Easter and some traditions may surprise you.
France
In the French town of Bessières in southwestern France, locals celebrate Easter by cooking a giant omelet.
Around 15,000 eggs are used to create this enormous feast, which are cooked in a single pot by around 50 volunteers and served to 2,000 people.
It all began in 1973 on the occasion of Napoleon Bonaparte’s visit to a small inn and the enjoyment of a delicious omelet; It is said that he enjoyed it so much that he ordered a giant tortilla for his army.
About 50 volunteers work together to make the giant omelet, breaking eggs and stirring the large frying pan.
Around 15,000 eggs are used to create this enormous feast that is cooked in a single pot and served to 2,000 people.
Designated cooks guard the pan with giant spatulas that look more like shovels or oars than kitchen utensils.
Czech Republic
In the Czech Republic, instead of eating a chocolate bunny with friends and family, relatives wish each other good health by gently spanking each other with a ribbon-adorned stick.
The word called pomlázka comes from pomladit, which means to rejuvenate.
The girls dress in traditional costumes and are gently whipped as a sign of good health.
The whip is called pomlázka and comes from pomladit, which means to rejuvenate.
Finland
While we might associate witches with Halloween, in Finland children dress up as spooky ghosts and wander the streets, going door to door asking for candy and offering blessings.
Dressed in witch hats and cloaks and carrying twigs decorated with colored paper and fabric, they promise to drive away evil spirits.
Papua New Guinea
In Papua New Guinea, people have adapted to the heat and, instead of hiding chocolate eggs, they hide cigarettes in trees near churches.
After the traditional Easter service, the faithful go out to collect the packages.
While it may not be the healthiest treatment, it certainly increases attendance.
Russia and Slovenia
In Russia and Slovenia, instead of enjoying a chocolate animal, these countries make a butter version.
As a symbol of Jesus’ sacrifice, people carve a lamb in butter.
They decorate it using peppercorns or dried cloves as eyes and a red ribbon around the neck to symbolize the blood of Christ.
In Russia and Slovenia, instead of enjoying a chocolate animal, these countries make a butter version.
Russians often carve a lamb in butter and decorate it using peppercorns or dried cloves as eyes.
Norway
In a tradition that seems to have almost nothing to do with Easter, Norwegians thoroughly enjoy crime dramas.
It all started in 1923 with a front-page advertisement in a national newspaper for a book titled “The Bergen Train Was Robbed During the Night.”
Many thought it was a real robbery and book sales skyrocketed.
Now, every Easter, television editors and producers capitalize on the tradition of Påskekrim, or Easter crime, and release new crime fiction.
Poland
You may be advised to bring an umbrella if you visit Poland during Easter, as children are encouraged to wet passers-by with buckets, water guns and hoses.
The tradition dates back to pagan fertility festivals where women who were soaked could conceive, but now it is open to all.