By Halat Laz
In the West, Easter often brings pastel decorations to windows, chocolate eggs to store shelves, and joyful laughter to parks during egg hunts. Throughout Holy Week, people attend church services, culminating in the most well-attended of all: Easter Sunday. This sacred day is often followed by a festive lunch. In cities like Rome, Paris, and New York, grand cathedrals host midnight masses, while families gather for lunch often featuring lamb, sweet breads, and spring vegetables.
In the United Kingdom, Easter is a wonderful, time-honored blend of tradition and springtime cheer. Churches fill for Sunday services, while streets and homes bloom with daffodils, often gifted as symbols of renewal and hope. Families sometimes exchange or enjoy Simnel cake — a spiced fruit cake topped with marzipan balls representing the apostles. Egg hunts are held in public parks, bakeries offer hot cross buns, and life seems to pause, if only for a moment, to soak in the warmth of togetherness and the promise of new beginnings.
In the villages and cities of Kurdistan, Easter might look a little different. It isn’t just marked by church bells and morning mass — it’s a mosaic of customs, foods, and heartfelt gatherings. Christian families wake up early, dress in their Sunday best, and head to church with candles in hand and prayers in their hearts. Afterwards, homes overflow with laughter, shared meals, and the aroma of traditional dishes like dolma, pacha, and kuba.
Normally, Western and Eastern churches follow different calendars: the Gregorian calendar (used by most Western churches) and the Julian calendar (used by many Eastern and Orthodox churches). This often causes Easter to fall on different dates, sometimes even weeks apart.
But this year, something truly remarkable happened — a rare moment of unity in the Christian world. For the first time in decades, four major church leaders — Pope Francis (Roman Catholic Church), Pope Tawadros II (Coptic Orthodox Church), Patriarch Bartholomew I (Eastern Orthodox Church), and Catholicos Karekin II (Armenian Apostolic Church) — agreed to celebrate Easter on April 20.
While Easter brings joy to millions around the globe, world leaders mark the occasion in their own ways — often blending tradition, faith, and public presence.
This year, President Donald Trump is expected to celebrate Easter at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, continuing his tradition of attending church and hosting lunch. Meanwhile, the White House Easter Egg Roll returns on April 21 — now featuring corporate sponsorships.
There is no official word yet regarding French President Emmanuel Macron’s specific plans for Easter. In previous years, he has attended Easter services at various churches in France, often accompanied by his wife, Brigitte Macron.
President Nechirvan Barzani of the Kurdistan Region consistently extends warm Easter greetings to the Christian community in Kurdistan, Iraq, and around the world. But what makes Easter in Kurdistan uniquely special is the unity — not just among Christians, but also between neighbors of all backgrounds. Muslim friends often visit Christian households to share in the joy. It’s a beautiful glimpse into coexistence and tolerance — something so deeply rooted in the spirit of Kurdistan.
Whether it be a time for quiet reflection or merry gatherings, may this Easter be a time to reconnect, renew, and embrace the spirit of hope it brings — a message that transcends traditions and shines a light on what unites us all.