EASTER IN AUSTRALIA
Easter is a very important time in Spain, so this year I would like to share with you some ways in which this holiday is celebrated in Australia.
EASTER BUNNY OR EASTER BILBY?
In Australia during the Easter holidays a lot of chocolate is eaten. It’s very common to buy Easter bunnies or bilbies for your friends, family or teachers. Easter bunnies are popular all over the world, but the bilby is a typical Australian animal and for this reason the chocolate bilby is very special!
PAINT OR DECORATE EASTER EGGS
A popular activity for children is to paint or decorate Easter eggs. Children do this at school with their class or at home with their family.
EASTER EGG HUNT
A fun tradition in Australia is for the children to do an Easter Egg Hunt. Parents or teachers hide chocolate eggs around the house or school and children have to find the eggs and collect them in a bucket or basket. When I was younger, this was my favourite Easter activity. My father used to hide the eggs for my brothers and I to find and then we would all eat the chocolate eggs together.
MAKE EASTER HATS
At schools children often make paper Easter hats, decorated with eggs, rabbits and lots of different colours.
EASTER HAT PARADE
The Easter Hat Parade is an annual event at schools and in some neighbourhoods where children wear their paper hats and walk around the playground or park. Parents love to attend this event to take pictures and participate in various games such as sack races or the egg and spoon race.
ROYAL EASTER SHOW
In Sydney every year there is a big fair during the Easter holidays called the Royal Easter Show. It’s a fantastic event with carnival rides, rollercoasters and food which ends with a fireworks display each night. Families also attend the Royal Easter Show to see different types of performances and competitions such as singing and dancing, wood cutting and motorbike riding. A few years ago I performed at this event, singing and playing the guitar. There are also a lot of animals and fresh produce at the Royal Easter Show. Farmers from all over Australia bring their sheep, horses and vegetables to participate in competitions such as ẗhe biggest pumpkin” and ¨ẗhe sheep with the best wool¨, or to sell local products like jam and cheese.
Happy Easter everybody! However you choose to celebrate Easter, I hope you have a relaxing holiday.
Angelena Locke
English Language Assistant from Australia
