#7 Keep Calm and Easter is Coming

We celebrate Easter every year. 

But have we ever thought of how people celebrate this holiday in other parts of the world? 

I got interested in easter traditions of three exact countries: England, USA and France

England. 

For many people this holidays is even more religious than Christmas. Schools are closed for 2 weeks. The last Sunday before Easter is called Palm Sunday.  

Traditionally, people give each other hot cross buns and chocolate eggs filled with caramel.

Many citizens attend the evening Easter service that finishes at midnight. After the ceremony everyone congratulate each other on the end of Lent and the beginning of new life. 

Many churches are decorated with tree branches with swollen buds, narcissuses and painted bunnies. Traditional at Easter time people cook lamb with vegetables, bake Easter cakes, make different salads and dye eggs. In a Easter Period English people dance their famous Morris Dancing, where they are wearing costumes of Robin Hood. The most famous British Easter symbol is the Easter Rabbit, that can be seen everywhere in the shops and streets.

USA. 

On Easter Sunday American families obligatory visit church, where is held Easter service. The

Service is followed bib collective singing in honour of this holiday occasion. Traditional American Easter dinner consists of ham with pineapple, potato, fruit salad and vegetables. 

Children get a basked from the "Easter bunny" that in the early morning filled it with bright eggs, chocolate and sweets. 

In America there is a popular game named "Easter Egg Roll". The biggest competition is usually held in the South Lawn close to  White House. This year on Monday, April 21st, 2014 will be held the 136th  annual Easter Egg Roll. The event features live music, cooking stations, storytelling and many other activities. Thousands of children come with their Easter baskets, filled with bright painted eggs and roll them down the lawn near the president's  palace.

France. 

In this country Easter is a family holiday. French people make a tableful with traditional prays and gifts. 

At Easter time all french people necessarily go to church. In the Easter Sunday morning parents hide chocolate eggs in children rooms, and later children have to find them. It is a very old and funny tradition, coming from one generation to another. 

The main traditional dish is a fried chick. For dessert they serve cakes with chocolate filling. The main symbol of French Easter is a bell. On that day the bell's jingle can be heard from everywhere, which symbolises the continuation of life and fun.