Easter celebrations around the world: Sometimes loud, sometimes whispered

For centuries, Easter has been a moment to reflect on the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, a sacred moment symbolising redemption and the cleansing of sins across the world.

However, due to diversity and rights to worship, Easter is not the same for everyone.

From Brazil’s beaches to the snowy slopes of Sweden, Easter is a public holiday. Schools close, offices go quiet, and streets come alive with parades, feasts, and old-world rituals.

In the Philippines, candlelit processions wind through towns, while in Italy, massive chocolate eggs hide secret surprises. In Ethiopia, where Orthodox traditions thrive, fasting ends with a grand feast, known as Fasika.

Hop across the globe, however, and Easter's presence shifts. In places such as China, Turkey, and much of North Africa (large Muslim populations), Easter is just another day on the calendar.

Life goes on, business as usual, though you might still find hidden enclaves celebrating with quiet reverence, like a small congregation in Morocco or expats cracking red eggs in Beijing.

Then there’s the United States. Here, Easter dances a delicate line between celebration and routine. It’s not a federal public holiday, yet church bells ring across cities, and parks bloom with egg hunts as children search through the grass.

In the Bible Belt, entire towns might close up shop for Good Friday, while in others, business continues.