Let’s talk about Easter! This can be a fun time of the year no matter where you are, but if you’re in Germany, you’re in for a treat.
Not only can you follow any traditions you like from your home country, but you can enjoy some new ones!
In this video and below, we discuss some of the interesting Easter traditions in Germany while comparing them to traditions elsewhere in the world. It’s lots of fun!
And then you can decide who wins… GERMANY… or the rest of the WORLD?!
Love Germany? Click here to download your free guide to ALL of Germany’s Amazing UNESCO sites. See all 52 of them!
The video below, hosted by Dominic from the channel Get Germanized, explores a variety of Easter traditions from around the world, comparing them with those in Germany.
You’ll see an interesting “Easter Traditions Face-Off,” highlighting the unique and interesting customs from different countries.
So actually you don’t get just to learn about Germany’s Easter traditions but many others. Below the video is a summary.
Easter Traditions Face-Off: Germany vs. the World by Get Germanized
Tradition 1
In Germany, one of the key traditions is the Osterbaum, where small trees or branches are decorated with colorful, hand-painted eggs.
This is compared to the White House Easter Egg Roll in the United States, an annual event where children roll decorated eggs across the White House lawn.
Tradition 2
Next up, compare Germany’s Osterfeuer, or Easter bonfires, with the UK’s Pace egging tradition. The Osterfeuer, rooted in pre-Christian times, is meant to drive away evil spirits and welcome the sun back.
In contrast, Pace egging involves performers called Pace Eggers, who dress in colorful costumes and perform traditional plays often involving eggs.
Tradition 3
The face-off continues with Germany versus Greece, focusing on the egg-tapping game called Aya Pekin in Germany, where the goal is to crack the opponent’s egg without breaking your own.
This is compared to the Greek tradition of sugrisma, which uses red-dyed eggs to represent the blood of Christ. The winner is said to have good luck for the year.
Tradition 4
Germany’s Easter Bunny tradition, where the bunny hides eggs and sweets for children to find, is compared with Australia’s unique Easter Bilby.
The Bilby, an endangered marsupial, is used to raise awareness for conservation efforts in Australia. The video prompts viewers to share their opinions on which Easter animal they find more endearing.
Tradition 5
Finally, check out the decorated fountains called Osterbrunnen in Germany, celebrating the life-giving power of water during spring.
This is contrasted with Norway’s unusual Easter tradition of reading and watching crime stories, known as påskekrim.
The video concludes with a summary of these diverse Easter customs and youto pick a winner. Share in the comments below your winner!
Want to learn more about German culture? Find our guide to Germany’s fascination with bread here and German small talk here. You can also find all our guides to German culture here.
