Easter Around the World: Vocabulary and Cultural Traditions

Level: Beginner | Date: April 21, 2025

Read the article aloud on your own or repeat each paragraph after your tutor.

Introduction

Easter is celebrated in many countries around the world, and each place has its own special way of enjoying the holiday. In this article, we’ll explore some Easter traditions from different cultures and learn useful vocabulary to describe them. Let’s go on a global Easter tour!

Easter Celebrations Around the World

United States

In the United States, Easter is often celebrated with colorful eggs, chocolate bunnies, and family brunch. Children join in Easter egg hunts, where they search for hidden eggs filled with candy or small toys. Families may also go to church services and enjoy a special meal together.

Italy

In Italy, Easter is a time for big family gatherings and traditional food. Many Italians eat “colomba,” a cake shaped like a dove, and roasted lamb. In some cities, there are parades and large processions that show scenes from the Easter story.

Philippines

In the Philippines, people take part in dramatic street performances. These shows are called “Senakulo” and they tell the story of Jesus. Some communities also wake up early for sunrise church services and family meals.

Sweden

In Sweden, children dress up as Easter witches! They wear old clothes, paint their faces, and go from house to house giving drawings in exchange for candy. It’s similar to Halloween, but in spring.

Greece

In Greece, Easter is the most important holiday of the year. People dye eggs red, go to midnight church services, and break the fast with lamb, soup, and bread. They also play a game called “egg cracking” where two people tap eggs against each other to see whose egg stays whole.

Conclusion

As you can see, Easter traditions are colorful and fun in every culture. Even though the celebrations may look different, the meaning of hope, family, and renewal is shared across the world.

Vocabulary

Tradition (n): A special activity or belief passed down over time. – “Easter egg hunts are a tradition in the U.S.”
Procession (n): A group of people moving together for a ceremony. – “The Easter procession was very moving.”
Sunrise (n): The time when the sun comes up. – “We woke up early to watch the sunrise.”
Dye (v): To color something. – “We dyed eggs red for Easter.”
Brunch (n): A meal between breakfast and lunch. – “We had Easter brunch with our family.”
Fast (n/v): A time when people don’t eat certain foods. – “After the fast, we had a big dinner.”
Crack (v): To break slightly. – “He cracked the egg during the game.”
Witch (n): A woman with magical powers in stories. – “The kids dressed like witches for Easter.”
Exchange (v): To give something and get something. – “They exchanged drawings for candy.”
Renewal (n): A time of fresh start or new beginning. – “Spring is a time of renewal.”

Discussion Questions

About the Article

What are some common Easter traditions in the U.S.?
What do children do in Sweden during Easter?
Why do people in Greece dye eggs red?
What is “Senakulo” in the Philippines?
What kind of food is common during Easter in Italy?

About the Topic

Do you celebrate Easter in your country?
What spring traditions are popular where you live?
Have you ever dyed eggs or joined an egg hunt?
What food do you usually eat for holidays?
What holiday do you enjoy the most, and why?

Idiom of the Day: “A fresh start”

This phrase means a new beginning. Example: “After moving to a new city, I felt like I had a fresh start.”

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