Sankt Martins Tag

(Sankt) Martins Tag is a holiday in Germany, traditionally celebrated on the eleventh day of November. This holiday is celebrated throughout the German speaking countries and the Netherlands that i know of, and probably also Denmark. I'll explain a little bit about St. Martins Tag and about how it was celebrated in my community**.

First off, St. Martin was a Roman cavalry officer (if i'm not mistaken), and one day whilst riding his horse in some lousy weather, he came across a cold and hungry beggar. St. Martin, being a good Christian, took his cloak and then cut in half, giving one half to the beggar. How is this act of sharing commemorated? Why with a parade, songs, lanterns, a reenactment, fire, warm beverages, and "trick or treating." The kindergarten aged kids all make paper lanterns, hang it on a stick/pole*, and put either a candle or a lamp in it. Next, all the kids gather behind a man dressed like a Roman soldier on a horse with their lanterns and there is also a band who march along. the parents are with the kids and volunteers block off the streets. the parade moves along, kids try to sing, overall cute. the parade makes a stop in the festival grounds, where a large fire is burning. here, a reenactment of the st. martin story takes place. following that, most of the people without children, but some with, move to the school (the Catholic and Protestant kindergarten are right next to each other) for refreshments. This includes kinderpunch, glühwein***, and heissekakoa. there are also little men made out of dough and with little raisin eyes and a pipe for sale (weckmänner i believe). following the parade, the children are allowed to go "trick or treating," with the difference being that instead of saying, "trick or treat," they sing a lovely tune. Overall, i think it's a wonderful little tradition. a goose is also the traditional meal for st. martins tag

**celebrated in my community, and probably all over, by Protestants, Catholics, and i'm pretty sure i saw a few non-Christians too

*interesting but irrelevant, the kids at the Catholic kindergarten all had lanterns on the end of the stick, whilst the Protestant kindergarten children had the lantern handing down on the end of the stick

***basically, it's warm, spiced red wine.

not the best video, but you get the idea