Kobe Bryant: Who Was He?

Early Life Kobe Bean Bryant was born on August 23, 1978, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Named after a city in Japan, Bryant is the son of former NBA player Joe "Jellybean" Bryant. In 1984, after ending his NBA career, the elder Bryant took the family to Italy, where he played in the Italian League. Growing up in Italy alongside two athletic older sisters, Shaya and Sharia, Bryant was an avid player of both basketball and soccer. When the family returned to Philadelphia in 1991, Bryant joined the Lower Merion High School basketball team, leading it to the state championships four years in a row.

With an eye on the NBA, he also started working out with the 76ers. Though he boasted good grades and high SAT scores, Bryant decided to go straight to the NBA from high school. He was selected by the Charlotte Hornets with the 13th overall pick of the 1996 NBA draft and was subsequently traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. NBA Career and Stats In his second season with the Lakers, Bryant was voted a starter for the 1998 All-Star Game, becoming the youngest All-Star in NBA history at 19.

The shooting guard then teamed up with superstar center Shaquille O'Neal to win three consecutive NBA championships and was voted first-team all-NBA from 2002-2004. He also inked multi-year endorsement deals with Adidas, Sprite and other top sponsors. Although the Lakers struggled after O'Neal left in 2004, Bryant performed brilliantly. He scored 81 points against the Toronto Raptors in January 2006, the second-highest single-game mark in NBA history, and led the league in scoring that year and the next. In 2008, Bryant was named Most Valuable Player and carried his team to the NBA Finals, where they lost to the Boston Celtics. In the 2009 NBA Finals, the Lakers beat the Orlando Magic to win the championship. Shortly afterward, Bryant was part of the memorial service to honor friend and music superstar Michael Jackson.

 The following year, the Lakers won their second straight title by defeating the Celtics. Bryant played on both the 2008 and 2012 U.S. Olympic teams, winning consecutive gold medals with teammates Kevin Durant, LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony, among several other top players. After suffering a torn Achilles tendon in April 2013, Bryant worked hard to return to the court before fracturing his knee just six games into the 2013-2014 season. The veteran All-Star surpassed Michael Jordan for third all-time on the NBA scoring list in December 2014, but his season ended due to injury for the third straight year when he sustained a torn rotator cuff in January 2015. Kobe Bryant Kobe Bryant during his final NBA game on April 13, 2016 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

 He scored 60 points against the Utah Jazz. Photo: Harry How/Getty Images Retirement Although Bryant returned in time for the start of the 2015-2016 NBA season, he personally struggled alongside his young Lakers teammates. In November 2015, he announced that he would retire at the end of the season.

"This season is all I have left to give," he wrote on The Players' Tribune website. "My heart can take the pounding. My mind can handle the grind but my body knows it's time to say goodbye." The announcement drew a strong reaction, particularly from NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. "With 17 NBA All-Star selections, an NBA MVP, five NBA championships with the Lakers, two Olympic gold medals and a relentless work ethic, Kobe Bryant is one of the greatest players in the history of our game," Silver said in a statement.

 "Whether competing in the finals or hoisting jump shots after midnight in an empty gym, Kobe has an unconditional love for the game." On April 13, 2016, Bryant dazzled a sold-out crowd at the Staples Center and fans everywhere in the last game of his career, scoring 60 points and leading the Lakers to a win against the Utah Jazz. It was Bryant’s sixth 60-point game of his career.

After the game, Bryant spoke to the crowd. "I can't believe how fast 20 years went by," he said. "This is absolutely crazy ... and to be standing at center court with you guys, my teammates behind me, appreciating the journey that we've been on — we've been through our ups, been through our downs. I think the most important part is we all stayed together throughout." An all-star lineup of Laker icons also paid tribute to Bryant, including O’Neal, Phil Jackson, Pau Gasol, Derek Fisher, Lamar Odom and Magic Johnson.

"We are here to celebrate greatness for 20 years," Johnson said. "Excellence for 20 years. Kobe Bryant has never cheated the game, never cheated us as the fans. He has played through injury, he has played hurt. And we have five championship banners to show for it." Academy Award for 'Dear Basketball' In November 2015, Bryant announced his upcoming retirement from the Lakers with a poem on The Players' Tribune website, titled "Dear Basketball."

The athletic great soon sought the best in other fields to turn his poem into a short film, including Disney animator Glen Keane and composer John Williams. The result was a beautifully rendered five-minute, 20-second film, which debuted at the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival.Mamba Sports Academy. Fact Check The Mamba Mentality: How I Play

Scottish festivals all of them

Burns Night – 25th January 
The anniversary of the birth of the poet Robert Burns, in 1759 at which many a "Burns Supper" is consumed and the "Immortal Memory", a speech in praise of the Bard, will be given.


 Burns Night – 25th January 
The anniversary of the birth of the poet Robert Burns, in 1759 at which many a "Burns Supper" is consumed and the "Immortal Memory", a speech in praise of the Bard, will be given.



Hunt the Gowk - 1st April
On this day people would play tricks and tell lies to catch each other out. But the jokes had to stop at mid-day. Now called April Fool's Day, hunting the gowk was originally sending someone on a foolish errand.
"Dinna laugh, an' dinna smile
But hunt the gowk another mile"


The sounds of scotland hymns of celebration

Preen-tail Day or Tailie Day - 2nd April
The day following All Fool's Day when paper tails were attached to the backs of unsuspecting people as a joke.


Beltane's Day - 1st May 
A pagan fire festival which goes back to pre-Christian times - originating with Baal in Phoenicia. It was supposed to encourage the crops to grow. There has been a holiday at the start of May in many parts of Scotland for centuries. Young girls would also rise early to wash their faces in the May dew. The custom of lighting fires at this time has come through in place names such as Tarbolton in Ayrshire ("tor" meaning hill and "bolton" from "Beltane"). The ancient Druidic Fire Festival has been revived by "New Age" followers who gather on the historic Calton Hill in Edinburgh.


Scottish festival tshirts


Empire Day/Victoria Day - 24th May
Flags were flown from public buildings and schools decorated classrooms with flags of the British Empire. The name was changed to Commonwealth Day. The nearest Monday to 24th May was a local trades holiday in many parts of Scotland to celebrate Queen Victoria's birthday and the tradition has continued long after Queen Victoria's reign.

 Michaelmas Day - 29th September
St Michael was the patron saint of the sea and sailors and his saint's day was celebrated in the West of Scotland in particular. In the island if Barra, a bannock was baked from the first grain of the year and eaten on St Michael's day. Everyone was given a piece to eat.




All Souls Day - 2nd November
Prayers were said for the souls of the dead and alms given to the poor.


Guy Fawkes and Bonfire Night – 5th November
Recalling the attempt by Guy Fawkes to blow up the Houses of Parliament with 20 barrels of gunpowder in 1605. Bonfires, fireworks and "penny for the guy" (an effigy of Guy Fawkes, providing an excuse for children to plead for money from passers-by). This is not a specifically Scottish festivity - it is UK wide but it took place shortly after the Union of the Crowns when King James VI of Scotland became king of England and Wales also.

Classic sounds of Scottish festival music

 

HOPE GARDENS JAMAICA

When did this lovely garden established? Well it was in 1873 History: In 1881, two hundred (200) acres of Hope Estate was purchased by the Government to establish an experimental garden. Fifty (50) acres of the land was devoted to the development and distribution of new varieties of sugar cane, and ten (10) acres for planting teak, Liberian Coffee
The Royal Botanical Gardens, commonly called "Hope Gardens", occupies 200 acres of land in the Ligunaea Plains of urban St Andrew. The gardens were established in 1873 on a section of land from the estate of Major Richard Hope, one of the original English colonisers who arrived with the invading force of Penn and Venables.

Jamaica travel guide for visitors




Local Flavour: 
Most of the plants and trees, particularly the mango and various spice species found here and in the gardens at Bath, originally came from a captured French ship on its way from Mauritius to Hispaniola in 1782. It is still highly unclear as to where exactly the plants went, but we do know that the Receiver General, one Mr Hinton East, owned and operated a garden near to the gardens at Hope. Since all cargo entering the country had to pass through his hands and be cleared by his office, it is not surprising that years after the fact, the whole collection was deposited in Mr East's garden which later was transplanted to the Hope Estate.

If you're looking to have a peaceful day without leaving Kingston, Hope Botanical Gardens and Zoo is the place for you.
The Hope Botanical Gardens, also known as the Royal Botanical Gardens

jamaican folklore and poet


Famous For: 
There are many rare and beautiful species of tropical plants and trees at the Royal Botanical Gardens, including the Hibiscus elatus (blue mahoe), the national tree of Jamaica. Blue mahoe is a small spreading tree with flowers that open in primrose colour in the morning and change to orange and deep red as the day advances.

The Jamaican people story

The northern end of the Gardens houses the Hope Zoo, which showcases a wide variety of local and foreign animals. The last I checked, there was easily 40 different types of animals, and the grounds were extremely well kept.

It is currently the largest botanical gardens in the Caribbean.

The Gardens and Zoo are located on Old Hope Rd., which is about 30 minutes from the Norman Manley International Airport, and a few minutes drive from the University of the West Indies. The area is known for having some of the most productive soil in the country, but unfortunately, this area has been used for mostly residential and commercial development.

How to love a Jamaican

At the north end of the gardens, there is a large beautiful lake with a restored ancient bridge over it. This lake is filled with water lilies and other stunning water plants.
Just above that, there's a small amphitheater stage that hosts local cultural events. This stage has hosted Jamaican cultural greats such as Louise Bennett-Coverley and Damian ‘Jr. Gong' Marley, who performed there as a child.

The rise of the hardcore dancehall Jamaican music

Towards the center of the gardens, there is an interesting natural maze. The walls of this maze are made by shrubs that were planted and groomed into this puzzle design. As a child, I had endless fun trying to find my way out.

Today the gardens are the largest public green space in the Kingston metropolitan region, and are home to Jamaica's most popular collection of endemic and exotic botanical collections. Of particular interest is the Cassia siamea grove by the main entrance, which was planted in 1907, and the other mini-gardens within the park - notably the cacti garden, with its rare varietals; the bougainvillea walk with its magnificent explosions of tropical colours; the annual gardens, with numerous species of exotic flowers; the sunken gardens and the lily pond.

The places to go and see cherry blossoms in bloom

Brooklyn Botanic Garden, New York

 

It is famous for its spectacular and vibrant tulips in the spring, but it’s also home to 42 different species of cherry blossom trees, The different species take turns blooming from late-March to mid-May. However, if you want to join the celebration, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden throws a popular cherry blossom festival, called Sakura Matsuri, usually during the last weekend in April.

Throughout most of Japan, blooming typically occurs in late March and early April. Some areas may produce blooms as early as January. The emergence of the first blossoms is called kaika – this emergence of flowers in usually what is indicated by the bloom forecasts. The peak, or mankai – the time when the most trees are in full bloom – occurs within about one week of emergence. In some years, the season extends into the month of May in the northern regions.

USA cherry blossom goods

  Japan

From Okinawa to Hokkaido, cherry blossom season in Japan is magical. The Japanese view the short-lived blossoms as a reminder of the impermanence of beauty and life — a bittersweet and poetic symbol that reached its peak during the hanami (a.k.a. flower-viewing) season following the devastating 2011 earthquake. In Hokkaido, expect a double dose of blossoms, as the plum and cherry trees tend to flower at the same time. When to Go: Starting from the south, you can expect blossoms to start in early- to mid-March, while spots around Nagoya and Tokyo are typically two weeks behind. More northerly locations can hit full bloom as late as May, depending on weather.


Japanese cherry blossom goods



Japan cherry blossom lights

Longwangtang Cherry Blossom Park, China

 The oldest of China‘s cherry blossom trees are WWII-era beauties planted during the Japanese occupation of China from 1937 to 1945. Normally, the area where the trees are planted doesn’t offer much to look at, but come cherry blossom season, the dam becomes lined with gorgeous pink and white blooms, and the crowds follow. It’s one of the best spots in China to view blossoms, though folks can also experience them in more trafficked places like Shanghai. 

 Handmade classical cherry blossom chinese craft

 

Botanical Garden of Curitiba, Brazil 

 The trees at the Botanical Garden of Curitiba may have only been planted in the 1990s, but cherry trees are no stranger to this region in southern Brazil. About 110 years ago, when the Japanese began immigrating to Brazil, they brought along their cherished cherry blossom seedlings. (Fun fact: Brazil has the largest population of Japanese people outside of Japan.) 

 Japanese cherry blossom

 

Parc de Sceaux, France

 A day trip to these cherry tree orchards just six miles south of Paris is a must. Here, you’ll find two separate orchards — one with all pink-blossomed trees and another with 150 all white-blossomed trees. Be sure to bring your camera. However, if you can’t bring yourself to leave the City of Lights, stroll over to Parc du Champ de Mars near the Eiffel Tower to take in a few rows of blossoming trees.

 Bath and body works cherry blossom

 

Jerte Valley, Spain 

 If you want to welcome the spring in style, then head for the Jerte Valley, close to Cáceres (Extremadura). If you make it you will get to witness a real natural wonder. Each year, around the second fortnight in March, the cherry trees open their flowers, covering the mountainsides in impressive swathes of white. 

 cherry blossom on your skin

Take an unhurried stroll on the tracks and trails between the valley's villages. What better way to leave the winter behind and delight in the new season?

cherry blossom surrounding a church

Chinese Valentines Day or should I say days

 

 

 

Chinese Valentines Day #1 – Valentine’s Day (情人节, qíngrén jié)The 14th February, like in the West, now marks one of China’s many Valentine’s Days.

 

A recent import from the West, it is very popular amongst younger generations.

Much like in the West on this day, you can expect couples to spend time together by going to the cinema or for romantic dinners.
It is also common to buy chocolate and roses for your loved ones – the pricier the better!
On this Chinese festival, make sure to spend it with your boyfriend/girlfriend.


chinese cherry blossom painting

Chinese Valentines Day #2  White Valentine’s Day (白色情人节, Báisè qíngrén jié)White Day is a festival celebrated in many East Asian countries such as Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam. 

 

This Chinese Valentine’s Day falls exactly one month after Valentine’s day on the 14th February and is traditionally celebrated with females gifting their partner’s or loved one’s chocolate.

 It is also common to home make chocolates, which generally shows deeper thought and more feeling behind it. Chocolates are also gifted as a social obligation to colleagues or friends.

 chinese photography lantern wall art

 

Chinese Valentines Day #3 –  520, Wǔ’èr líng

 

 This interesting Chinese Valentine’s Day recently entered China through the growing internet culture of Netizens.DID YOU KNOW – It came about because 520 (pronounced as ‘Wǔ’èr líng’) sounds like the Chinese for “I love you” (wo ai ni).

 

 

Chinese Valentines Day #4 – 20/8: Qi Xi Festival (七夕节, Qīxì jié)

 

 Qixi Festival comes from the romantic tale of two lovers who can only come together once a year, which is why it is celebrated on this day.Qixi Festival comes from the romantic tale of two lovers who can only come together once a year, which is why it is celebrated on this day.

 

 chinese cherry blossom valse

Chinese Valentines Day #5 – 15th Day in Lunar Year: The Lantern Festival (元宵节, Yuánxiāo jié)

 

The Lantern Festival is held on the 15th day in the Lunar Calendar, this ancient traditional festival is seen as a Chinese Valentine’s Day.
One of the reasons for this is because back in olden days when women were barely able to leave the house, going out to go and light the lanterns during this festival was a rare occasion when women could go on dates and find a partner. 

japan wall art of blossoms

Chinese Valentines Day #6 – 11/11: Single’s Day (双十一, Shuāng shíyī)

 

With 5 Valentine’s Days in China, what’s a single girl to do? Do not fear singles!

China has been celebrating Single’s Day for a few years now, originally there to celebrate being single – but now simply celebrates consumerism.
The story goes that this date was originally celebrated by students in Nanjing university who wanted to celebrate being single.

The cherry blossom festival in Japan

What is the cherry blossom festival? The cherry blossom known as the sakura is steeped in tradition and history.Peak bloom is the magical moment visitors want to be on hand for during the cherry blossom season. The peak bloom date is defined as the day when 70 percent of the trees surrounding the Tidal Basin have opened their buds, creating an unforgettable sea of pink and white.

-Hirosaki Castle

Known as one of the most beautiful places to see cherry blossoms in Japan, Hirosaki City in Aomori Prefecture holds the annual cherry blossom festival at Hirosaki Park (弘前公園). Beautiful cherry blossoms can be enjoyed at the foot of glorious Hirosaki Castle at day and night with delicious street food and drinks, and the site is also popular after the peak blooming period as the stunning view of moats covered by pink petal can be enjoyed.

 Japanese families also eagerly await this time. Many attend cherry blossom festivals or simply enjoy hanami, the tradition of viewing and enjoying the beauty of the cherry blossom. Many people indulge in picnics beneath the blooming cherry trees.

If you are planning a trip to see Japan’s famous cherry blossoms in 2020, there are two things to consider – where and when to visit. There are many prime locations with a variety of features – some have the oldest trees, others the most trees, and some are close to historic areas or other sites of interest. You can quickly and easily travel between many locations by train using your Japan Rail Pass.

japan cherry blossom wall art

Once you’ve decided on which of the best cherry blossom spots in Japan (or just in Tokyo or in Kyoto) you will visit for Hanami, you will want to time your stay so that you will get the most from your cherry blossom experience. Why? Because not every location experiences full bloom at the same time.

 Throughout most of Japan, blooming typically occurs in late March and early April. Some areas may produce blooms as early as January. The emergence of the first blossoms is called kaika – this emergence of flowers in usually what is indicated by the bloom forecasts. The peak, or mankai – the time when the most trees are in full bloom – occurs within about one week of emergence. In some years, the season extends into the month of May in the northern regions.

The Lantern festival other-wise call the festival of spring

The lantern festival is celebrated in the new year,early January. What exactly is this holiday?The Lantern Festival or the Spring Lantern Festival is a Chinese festival celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first month in the lunisolarChinese calendar. Usually falling in February or early March on the Gregorian calendar, it marks the final day of the traditional Chinese New Year celebrations. As early as the Western Han Dynasty (206 BCE-CE 25), it had become a festival with great significance.  China loves their Chinese festivals, such as Chinese New Year and Tomb Sweeping Festival,  and it doesn’t skimp out when it comes to Chinese Valentine’s Day either.
cherry blossom fashion skirt
During the Lantern Festival, children go out at night carrying paper lanterns and solve riddles on the lanterns (simplified Chinese: 猜灯谜; traditional Chinese: 猜燈謎; pinyin: cāidēngmí; Jyutping: caai1 dang1 mai4).

Lantern Festival (元宵節)
Official name	yuánxiāo jié (元宵節 / 上元節)
Observed by	Chinese, Taiwanese
Type	Cultural
Significance	Marks the end of theLunar New Year
Observances	Flying of paper lanterns; Consumption oftangyuan
Date	15th day of the 1st month (lunisolar year)
2019 date	February 19
2020 date	February 8
2021 date	February 26
Related to	Chotrul Duchen (in Tibet) Daeboreum (in Korea) Koshōgatsu (in Japan) Magha Puja (in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos) Tết Nguyên Tiêu (in Vietnam)

Lantern Festival Why is it called the Chinese Lantern Festival? This Chinese festival is known in English as the Lantern Festival because watching lanterns 灯笼 (dēnglóng) in different shapes and sizes is one of the main attractions of this special day. What is the origin of the Chinese Lantern Festival? There are different versions of the legend behind it, but this is one of the most popular ones: In ancient times a holy crane flew from heaven to Earth, but when it landed the holy creature got lost and killed by some villagers that thought it was a fierce beast. The Jade Emperor was extremely angry and upset when he heard that his favourite crane was killed by a human. He ordered his troops to go into the human world to destroy the whole village by fire on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. However, when the Jade Emperor’s daughter, a kind and graceful goddess, warned the villagers about the bad news, all of them fell into despair. An old and wise man was the only exception. He instructed the villagers to hang red lanterns around their houses and to set off fireworks and firecrackers to simulate a vast fire. When the army of the Jade Emperor came to destroy the village, they saw the lights, the smog and heard the noise of the explosions. They thought that the village was already set on fire and so they left.  Therefore, to celebrate how they survived from this crisis, people light lanterns 灯笼 (dēnglóng) and set off fireworks 鞭炮 ( biānpào ) on that day every year.

Festival of lights other-wise call Diwali

What is the diwali? The Diwali Festival of Lights is a five-day festival celebrated in autumn by Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains worldwide. Although the holiday is celebrated around the world, it holds a different meaning and significance for each of the regions and religions that practice it. For some, it is a celebration of the return of Lord Rama after his exile. Others relate the holiday to the goddess of prosperity and wealth, Lakshmi, and still others celebrate the triumph of Lord Vishnu over the demon king Bali.

Diwali festival of lights 

Despite the differences, there is one common symbolism to the holiday—Diwali symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. Families celebrate by illuminating their homes using clay or oil lamps and creating intricate designs made from rice or flour in front of doorways or shrines.diwali festival decoration wall art

Festival of light other-wise call hanukkah

What do we know about the celebrated holiday call the festival of light otherwise call hanukkah? Read on to find out more.

All around the world, Jewish adults and children celebrate the Jewish festival of lights called Hanukkah.

The date of Hanukkah changes every year, because it depends on the calendar, but it will always fall in November or December.

Last year it happens from nightfall on 22 December until nightfall on December 30.  Hanukkah festival music

The giving of gifts and displaying of holiday decorations have become a regular practise in modern times; According to some they were customs adopted from Christmas traditions. 
 festival of lights music
True Hanukkah traditions include lighting the candles on a nine-branched menorah called a Hanukkiah and saying the blessings, making and eating potato latkes (pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts)—both cooked in oil—and playing dreidel, a game of chance played with a four-sided top.

Happy Valentines Day

Valentines day is a very special day for sweet hearts of all ages,families friends and even aquaintances. But why do we celebrate valentines day? Well there are several legends tied to this big celebration,here is the most popular of all the valentines tale that has been going around.


 Emperor Claudius II had banned marriage because he thought married men were bad soldiers. Valentine felt this was unfair, so he broke the rules and arranged marriages in secret.

When Claudius found out, Valentine was thrown in jail and sentenced to death.

There, he fell in love with the jailer's daughter and when he was taken to be killed on 14 February he sent her a love letter signed "from your Valentine".

BOHON Fairy String Lights 10 ft 40 LEDs Red Heart Shaped Twinkle Fairy Lights Battery Operated for Kids Bedroom Wedding Indoor Party Valentine's Day Mother's Day Decor with Remote & Timer

HAPPY EASTER TO EVERYONE

Once again we will soon be celebrating Easter. In other parts of the world The custom of associating a rabbit or bunny with Easter arose in Protestant areas in Europe in the 17th century but did not become common until the 19th century. The Easter rabbit is said to lay the eggs as well as decorate and hide them.

In the United States the Easter rabbit also leaves children baskets with toys and candies on Easter morning. In a way, this was a manifestation of the Protestant rejection of Catholic Easter customs. In some European countries, however, other animals—in Switzerland the cuckoo, in Westphalia the fox—brought the Easter eggs.
HAPPY EASTER!

 The term Easter, commemorating the Resurrection of Christ, comes from the Old English ēaster or ēastre, a festival of spring. The Greek and Latin Pascha comes from the Hebrew Pesaḥ, “Passover.” Easter is the oldest and most important festival of the Western Christian year, celebrating Jesus

Christ's resurrection (rising from the grave) following his crucifixion on Good Friday. Easter Sunday is the culmination of Holy Week (but not part of it), and the first day of Eastertide. Easter marks the end of the 40 days of Lent. Easter Sunday (or simply Easter Day) is the first day of the Easter Week which ends on Easter Saturday.
HAPPY EASTER!
What is Easter egg hunt?  An egg hunt is a game during which decorated eggs or Easter eggs are hidden for children to find. Real hard-boiled eggs, which are typically dyed or painted, artificial eggs made of plastic filled with chocolate or candies, or foil-wrapped egg-shaped chocolates of various sizes are hidden in various places.

HAPPY EASTER!

The Easter season is upon us

Once again we will soon be celebrating Easter. In other parts of the world The custom of associating a rabbit or bunny with Easter arose in Protestant areas in Europe in the 17th century but did not become common until the 19th century. The Easter rabbit is said to lay the eggs as well as decorate and hide them.

In the United States the Easter rabbit also leaves children baskets with toys and candies on Easter morning. In a way, this was a manifestation of the Protestant rejection of Catholic Easter customs. In some European countries, however, other animals—in Switzerland the cuckoo, in Westphalia the fox—brought the Easter eggs.
HAPPY EASTER!

 The term Easter, commemorating the Resurrection of Christ, comes from the Old English ēaster or ēastre, a festival of spring. The Greek and Latin Pascha comes from the Hebrew Pesaḥ, “Passover.” Easter is the oldest and most important festival of the Western Christian year, celebrating Jesus

Christ's resurrection (rising from the grave) following his crucifixion on Good Friday. Easter Sunday is the culmination of Holy Week (but not part of it), and the first day of Eastertide. Easter marks the end of the 40 days of Lent. Easter Sunday (or simply Easter Day) is the first day of the Easter Week which ends on Easter Saturday.
 HAPPY EASTER!
What is Easter egg hunt?  An egg hunt is a game during which decorated eggs or Easter eggs are hidden for children to find. Real hard-boiled eggs, which are typically dyed or painted, artificial eggs made of plastic filled with chocolate or candies, or foil-wrapped egg-shaped chocolates of various sizes are hidden in various places.

HAPPY EASTER! 

Easter is One of the most important Holidays

Brightly decorated eggs, Easter egg rolling and Easter egg hunts have become integral to the celebration of Easter today.

However, the tradition of painting hard-boiled eggs during springtime pre-dates Christianity. In many cultures around the world, the egg is a symbol of new life, fertility and rebirth. For thousands of years, Iranians and others have decorated eggs on Nowruz, the Iranian New Year that falls on the spring equinox.

HAPPY EASTER!
Some claim that the Easter egg has pagan roots. Before Christians celebrated the resurrection of Jesus, some argue ancient pagans in Europe observed the Spring Equinox as the return of the sun God -- a rebirth of light and an emergence from the lean winter.

Sunset and palm trees

 Easter in the Caribbean is celebrated with great fanfare, solemn dress and wonderful foods. Since the islands of the Caribbean are mainly Christian, visitors can expect to find celebration in many forms to recognize the risen Savior. Some of the traditions are Christian mixed with Caribbean culture. Most are unique to these islands where residents are devout, but not just with one religion.

More history on easter

Some also point to the Venerable Bede, an English monk who wrote the first history of Christianity in England, for evidence of this connection. Bede argued that even the word Easter derived from a pagan fertility goddess named "Eostre" in English and Germanic cultures. Scholars have since noted that there is little to no evidence of such a goddess outside of Bede's writings. Also, in most other languages the word for Easter -- Pascua in Spanish and Pasques in French, for instance -- derives from the Greek and Latin Pascha or Pasch, for Passover.

HAPPY EASTER!

If you are traveling in Russia during Easter time, you'll notice that for religious Russians, usually Russian Orthodox, Easter is one of the most important Russian holidays, surpassing even Christmas in importance.

The Russian Orthodox Church celebrates Easter according to the Orthodox calendar, and so it can occur in April or May.

HAPPY EASTER!