Eight unusual Easter traditions around the world
Whether it’s hammering nails through themselves, hurling heavy pots off balconies or swapping oranges for kisses, Christians have some funny ways of celebrating the resurrection
Easter is almost upon us and for Hongkongers that means shopping, joining family or friends for a barbecue and most popular of all – catching up on much-needed sleep. In other parts of the world, however, dozing the holiday away is the last thing on people’s minds.
1 Buenos Aires, Argentina
For a hefty dose of Easter kitsch, you could do worse than head to Buenos Aires, in Argentina, and pay a visit to Tierra Santa, better known as the Jesus theme park (above). A 12-metre fibreglass Messiah is resurrected atop a plastic mountain every 60 minutes and staff kitted out in full costume (even the toilet cleaners are dressed up, as Roman soldiers) act out the Creation, Noah’s Ark and the Last Supper.
There are carpentry demonstrations, belly dancing shows and the Baghdad Café does an excellent falafel sandwich. Children can get involved by carrying wooden crosses through the streets and nuns get in free.
A cynical TripAdvisor reviewer was soon won over, explaining that she felt “teleported back in time to ancient Jerusalem”, adding, “It was like Jesus was walking beside us.”