’tis the season!

stmartin_1.jpg

we celebrated st. martin’s day today in germany. children make or buy lanterns, and form a procession through the streets singing songs about st. martin. often a man dressed as st. martin rides on a horse leading the procession which ends around a bonfire where the most famous story of st. martin is reinacted. the one of him cutting his cloak in half to share with a beggar during a snowstorm, to save the him from dying of the cold.

november 11th also marks the beginning of the carnival season called fasnacht in german.

so it is official. the holidays are upon us and the next weeks will be spent preparing for advent, thanksgiving, a special birthday, entertaining friends, visiting herbst/christmas markets, cuddling near the fire, reading, playing games,  and making hot cups of tea….. ’tis the season!

This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 at 10:27 pm and is filed under life in deutschland.

6 Responses to “’tis the season!”

  1. rochambeau http://rochambeau.typepad.com

    November 11th, 2009 at 11:10 pm

    Oh thank you Elsa for sharing this magical and dreamy photograph of the children holding the lanterns on St. Martin’s Day.
    It so touches me so much!!!
    Sending you hugs and love.
    and good thoughts and light.

    Hopefully you and Shin can meet!!!
    THEN, I want to see some photos!!!

    xox
    Constance

  2. Stephanie http://rodrigvitzstyle.typepad.com

    November 12th, 2009 at 12:09 am

    The season has begun! and I was not even aware of these holidays! I wish you a warm happy holiday, looking forward to photos of all the events.

    I can just feel the warmth of those lanterns, so lovely!

    x..x
    steph

  3. Christina http://www.soulaperture.blogspot.com

    November 12th, 2009 at 8:05 pm

    this is such a lovely tradition. the glowing lanterns, warm my heart.
    xo

  4. rochambeau http://rochambeau.typepad.com

    November 14th, 2009 at 1:50 pm

    Have a great weekend Elsa!
    Love you!
    Constance

  5. tinker http://tinkerart.typepad.com/tinker_art/

    November 17th, 2009 at 1:32 pm

    Oh the children’s lanterns on the St. Martin’s Day celebration looks like such a lovely tradition. It’s wonderful to see and learn so much through the internet that I might never have otherwise known about. Happy holidays, Elsa!

  6. le petit cabinet de curiosites http://www.enseignedegersaint.typepad.fr

    November 17th, 2009 at 4:48 pm

    I love german traditions !!

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