The United Kingdom and other countries around the world which began as British colonies, often share fairly low-key events which may or may not include church-going, but can also be family or sport-oriented.

But let’s find out what happens traditionally in other countries?

Argentina – on Good Friday people attend their local Christian churches, but on Easter Sunday they share eggs as well as a special Easter cake. Monday there’s often a big barbeque and treasure hunt.

Bermuda – is the home of the Easter lily, but the locals fly kites to mark Christ's ascent into heaven.

Brazilians put on a festival to celebrate the hanging of Judas.

Bulgaria – has a game where two people fight with eggs. The person with the unbroken eggs is called borak.

Czech Republic and Slovakia – a tradition of gentle ‘spanking’ occurs on Easter Monday. Legend says this helps women keep their health and beauty during the coming year!

Finland – sooty-faced scarved children carrying broomsticks, coffeepots and willow twigs, beg in the streets. Western Finland, there are bonfires on Easter Sunday to ward off witches.

France – a giant omelette is made and shared in the town of Haux. Church bells do not ring for three days over Easter. On Easter Sunday children search for Easter treats hidden in the garden. 

Germany – children receive Easter Baskets containing eggs and chocolate, toys and other gifts. The baskets are hidden and children must search for them.

Greece – in Athens, Christ’s tomb is carried through the city on Good Friday, then gardenias and burning candles for the midnight resurrection procession and Easter Sunday feasts. On Holy Saturday on Corfu people throw pots, pans and plates out of windows to smash on the street.

Hungary – children try to throw coins into a painted hardboiled egg. Sprinkling, takes place on Easter Monday (Ducking Monday). Boys playfully sprinkle perfume or perfumed water on girls.

India – Christians exchange lanterns and cakes on Easter weekend.

Italy – on Good Friday in Rome the Pope commemorates the Way of the Cross at the Colosseum and on Easter Sunday, thousands congregate in St. Peter’s Square waiting for the Pope’s blessing from the church’s balcony.

Lebanon – Good Friday mass then, on Easter Sunday, church where ribbons and flowers are handed to children who form a procession and carry them around the church followed by a huge celebration feast.

Netherlands – the Dutch and Flemish light Easter fires on Easter Sunday at sundown.

Norway – a modern custom is to catch up with the latest Paaskekrimmen, Easter crime thriller novel.

Papua New Guinea ­– Sunday means an Easter Tree placed in the front of churches.

Poland – blessing of Easter baskets filled with Easter eggs, butter lamb, ham, Polish sausage, horseradish and homemade bread. Smingus-Dyngus, on Easter Monday, is when boys try to drench everyone with water.

Scandinavia – in Finland, Sweden and Denmark, small children decorate pussy willows and dress as witches and visit neighbour to swap them for sweets.

Scotland – boiled and painted Easter eggs are taken to the park hills for rolling on Easter Sunday to represent the rolling away of the stone on Jesus’ tomb.

Spain - has a carnival atmosphere with trumpets and drums. Members of Seville’s 52 different religious brotherhoods parade through the streets for the entire Holy Week. The resurrection is celebrated by floral floats street dancing in the streets and traditional sweet foods. On Holy Thursday in the town of Verges, the locals perform the dansa de la mort (death dance) dressed in skeleton costumes, parading through the streets.

Sweden – children dress up as good witches and give out letters and cards in return for eggs, sweets and coins. On Easter Sunday there is a feast and gifts of eggs are later used in a game, rolling them down roofing tiles - the furthest unbroken one wins.

Ukraine – eggs are painted and shared.

USA - for the past 130 years, the White House has hosted the Easter Egg Roll on its South Lawn.

Tomorrow we explore Easter foods.

Do you know what happens over Easter in any other countries? Please tell us their customs.