USA The White House Easter Egg Roll is a tradition that dates back to 1878. Originally, young children would flock to Capitol Hill, Washington DC on Easter Monday to roll eggs and have a day of fun and activities. Members of Congress grew tired of the growing crowds and passed an Act of Congress prohibiting egg rolling on Capitol grounds. The young children approached President Hayes and asked if they could roll eggs in his backyard and nearly every year since 1878 children have been invited to roll eggs on the White House lawn. Poland Smingus-Dyngus is a Polish tradition of pouring water on one another on Easter Monday, its origin dating to the baptism of Polish Prince Mieszko in 966AD. The legend was traditionally celebrated by boys throwing water over girls and hitting them with twigs! The girls could pay a ransom of painted eggs (regarded as a magical charm that would bring a good harvest and healthy relationship) and hopefully save themselves from a soaking. Nowadays, it is celebrated by boys trying to drench each other any way they can. Corfu On the morning of Holy Saturday at 11 o’clock the bells announce the morning Resurrection and Corfoit people throw ceramic pots off window ledges and balconies. The custom may follow the Venetian tradition of throwing out old objects from their windows on New Year’s Day, but a more likely explanation is that they were following the Ancient Greeks who made loud noises to wake up Persephone, the goddess of spring and accelerate the coming of spring. Italy For over 350 years Florence has celebrated Easter Sunday with a tradition called ‘Scoppio del Carro’. An elaborate wagon built in 1622 standing two to three stories high is pulled by a pair of oxen decorated with garlands through the streets of Florence to the Piazzo del Duomo. At around 11am ‘Gloria’ is sung in the cathedral and the Archbishop lights a dove shaped rocket (called ‘Colombina’ symbolizing the Holy Spirit). This in turn lights a wire leading to the outside of the church where the cart is, and sets off a spectacular firework display and the ‘Scoppio del Carro’ (Explosion of the Cart) ensues. The tradition originated when a young noble Florentine named Pazzino took part in the First Crusade to the Holy Land in 1099. As a mark of his courage he was given three flints from the Holy Sepulchre, and these are used to start the initial fire. The celebration is meant to be a sign of peace and a good year ahead. France As France is a predominately Catholic country, tradition says that on Good Friday all church bells sprout wings and fly down to the Vatican to be blessed by the Pope. So, no church bells ring in France between Good Friday and Easter Sunday morning, to commemorate the death of Jesus. When the bells return to France, they are laden with goodies for children – normally Easter eggs. Finland In Finland children knock on doors dressed as witches waving birch twigs reciting ‘Virvon, varvon, tuoreeks terveeks, tulevaks vuodeks; vitsa sulle, palkka mule!’ (I wave a twig for a fresh and healthy year ahead; a twig for you, a treat for me!) Sweets are handed to the children to thank them for clearing the house of evil spirits. Bonfires are also lit in Western Finland on Easter Sunday to ward off witches who fly around on brooms between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. The S4B team hope you enjoyed our brief look at Easter traditions from around the world. S4B are a team of Chartered Accountants in Maidenhead specialising in providing innovative commercial advice through cutting edge financial reporting and forecasting. Contact a member of our team to see how we can help your business at [email protected] or call us on 01628 623444.