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04-04-202
HELSINKI: A second Easter under the COVID-19 pandemic has arrived. Instead of celebrating it at home, Shousha, a young Finnish shop owner who runs a dessert shop with a friend in downtown Helsinki, decided to stay open for business, awaiting customers.
Battling against a new wave of COVID-19 infections fueled by more transmissible variants, European countries are facing the unprecedented challenge of balancing disease control and public life with economic reopening.
EASTER LOCKDOWN
Easter arrived early this year compared to last, yet the pandemic situation in Europe has hardly improved. Several countries cannot afford to drop their guard.
A total of 27 countries in the region were in partial or full nationwide lockdown, with 21 of them imposing nighttime curfews, the World Health Organization’s European Region Office said in a press release on Wednesday.
In France, one of the worst-hit countries in the region, a total of 46,677 COVID-19 cases were reported on Friday. In the same week, more than 50,000 people were also diagnosed with the pandemic for two consecutive days. Since March, daily COVID-19 cases have spiraled, with an average of about 30,000 cases.
France has taken “reinforced braking measures” to contain the virus 
resurgence. Starting from Friday midnight, the country’s 67 million inhabitants are asked to stay home, schools are shut down for three weeks and teleworking is prioritized, with inter-regional travel prohibited for at least one month.
The health care system in Poland is approaching capacity. The Eastern European country implemented partial national lockdown measures late last month, closing cinemas, theaters, museums and hotels for non-business guests.
If Easter celebrating was a menu, it would feature France’s 15000 egg omelets, Australia’s Easter Bibly, and Germany’s Easter Tree. To the woke soul, these terms may sound familiar. Those who had no clue, don’t feel too bad, we’re in the same boat. Let’s get cultured together.
France:
To the French celebrator, the Easter Bunny is not the blesser of easter eggs. Rather, les cloches de Pâques, or the Easter Bells take upon the proud role. In French Easter tradition, the bells are believed to soar to Rome, receive blessings from the Pope, and then commence a homebound journey, wherein which they collect eggs along the way.
Additionally, there is a village in France (Bessieres) that celebrates the Easter holiday by making a giant omelette, made up of 15000 eggs. No, that wasn’t a typo!
Italy:
An endeavour to Italy would have one seeing a different kind of celebration. ‘Explosion of the Cart’ or ‘Scoppio del Carro’ sees a mechanical, dove-shaped rocket collide with a cart of wonders, releasing a magnificent firework display for all to marvel at.
Spain:
Sailing to Spain will have your eyes illuminated to a stunning skeletal dance. Spain celebrates a holy festival week, known as Semana Santa, which enjoys a gorgeous dance of the dead, or Dansa de la mort. The dancers dress up in luminescent skeleton costumes to commemorate their celebration.
Finland:
Following Spain’s almost Halloween-like approach is Finland’s take on trick 
or treating. Finnish children take the power into their own hands, whereby instead of waiting upon treats to be hidden for them, they go door to door to ask for treats themselves as part of their Easter celebration.
Germany:
A journey to Germany sees an array of beautifully painted Easter eggs, which may sound somewhat traditional, until you notice that they are hung on the branches of trees. Ostereierbaum, or Easter Egg trees recognise the joy that Easter brings, but also the blossoming of Spring.
Bermuda:
Following the painted line of a colourful Easter, a bon voyage to Bermuda takes our gaze to the skies. Painting the skies and shores in their own way, Good Friday sees the skies dancing with an array of colours known as the Bermuda Kite Festival.
Greece:
Galavanting to Greece gives us another glimpse at colour. One in particular: red. These eggs are known as kokkina avga, and are key to the game Tsougrisma. Players go head to head to crack their eggs against an opponent. The hero of each round progresses until the last untracked egg remains. The victor is the winner of luck for a year.
Australia:
Far yonder, Australia exhibits the “Easter Bilby” instead of the Easter Bunny. This is an Australian Easter symbol that not only offers a chocolate delight, but also awareness for the endangered species.
