European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - April 14, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse                                H an easter tree each year. A traditional by Linda White travel editor be of the Best things about Hying in another country is learning the different ways of celebrating holidays. Easier in Europe is an important occasion Muchmore than a big dinner and an egg Hunt. Mai europeans get a Long weekend Good Friday i rough easier monday and us it for one last run on tie six slopes or to got a head Start on summer amusements. The River boat companies begin cruises at easier and theme Parks open their Gates. But in addition to these secular activities easter is marked by religious traditions bold solemn and Joyful. Sarmany the easter tree that appears in Many German Homes and shops Ian i really a tree it is a bouquet of branches usually Pussy Willow or forsythia. Decorated with colourful eggs. The germans have easter egg Hunts too and bake special sweets for he Day sometimes cakes with whole eggs in the Middle. On holy thursday literally Green thursday when translated from lha German Grill Donnerstog Many people eat Only Grean vegetables. Holy thursday in the Day when the Church Bells Stop ringing not just in Germany but in Many other countries. Parents Tell their children the Bells have flown to Roma Lor confession and will return Lor easier sunday. Italy this devoutly Catholic country celebrates easter with processions passion plays special services and o course special foods. The oldest holy Friday procession in Italy lakes place at Chilli on april 17. The participants Wear the penitents Black tunic and Gray Cape and carry torches. In Civitavecchi White Clad penitents drag heavy chains attached to their Ankles in a procession on the same Day. In Pilarta Degli Albanesi on april 19, an ancient byzantine rile is performed when women dressed in Tsoh Century costumes distribute red eggs. Spain Spain s most Lamous holy week event is the procession of the penitents in Seville although there Are Many such processions throughout the country. The processions Are serious and somber with the penitents carrying heavy Wood crosses m Lvcy. Barefoot through the streets. In the weeks preceding easter special cakes with one or More whole eggs on lop begin to appear in the bakery shops. In some parts of the country particularly Catalonia people take these cakes to Church to be blessed on easter sunday. Belgium in the Catholic regions of the country especially easter traditions Are Strong. There Are horseback processions egg festivals and in Rupe Monde on april 16, a traditional loot washing ceremony and throwing of apostles bread to he crowds. An egg festival lakes place in the Saint Pho Lien marchers Wear Black Robes in the Holt weak Parado in puerto a Santa Maria Spain Section of Liege on april 18, there Are Riding processions april 20 in Auvelia and be mapped and eggs Are tossed from the Church Tower in Krui Shoutan on april 20. France easter is a family affair in France for the most part although there Are a Tew processions of Penis ends similar to those in Spain especially in the pyrenees. Corsica Loo has a procession on Good Friday. The members of the brotherhoods of St. Anthony and is. Erasmus carry heavy crosses through the Streels. Slopping three limes to perform the Gra Nitola forming firs a spiral and then a Cross. Music festivals Are also part of the easter tradition throughout the country. England egg railing is a favorite custom it is believed to symbolize the Stone s being rolled away irom Christ s Tomb. Egg rolling takes place on easier monday in Preston Lancashire and Padstow Cornwall. Other customs include the Hare pie scramble and bottle kicking a Hallaron in Leicestershire. In the scramble pieces of pie Are tossed to the crowd and a scramble ensues the fun really begins when garlic Ipanis Start throwing the pieces at each other. The Billle kicking event is something like a primitive football match the object being to kick the bottle Glass is no longer used into he opposing team s goalpost. Easter egg Hunts Lake place on the grounds of Many castles that Are open to the Public. One of the biggest events is the easter Parade on sunday attorn on in London s bad Laresca Park when thousands of people promenade to show Oil their easier finery. Switzerland egg Chipping is a tradition in Many Swiss towns. Two children each holding an egg Lap the eggs together to see which cracks first. If Larau and Bern Are two places where t Nis is popular. Most Lowns and villages have an easier Parade and the churches have special concerts. Austria Palm processions Are a big part of easier celebrations Here Many of them including hand carved wooden figures of Christ on a Donkey. The processions begin at the local Church on Palm sunday such processions can be seen in Hall in Tirol thur Hohe nems Lus Lenau and Tams Weg in  whole town turns out Lor All night singing on Maundy thursday and Good Friday in Traun Kirchen. The singing starts at 9 pm. And goes on until Sunrise. In the Carinthia a Region pilgrims make their Way Over four mountains on the Friday Aller easter. The Lar Mars Gresl the pilgrims offering apples and new Wina. Greece greek orthodox easier tails a week later than in the rest of Europe the people fast the preceding week but on easier sunday roast Iamb is consumed in Quantity the greeks also have a special soup called Maga Titia whose main ingredient is daisies. Here too one finds cases with eggs in the Middle this Lima boiled eggs dyed red to represent Christ s blood. Prt14 the stars and stripes Page 15