Traditionally lent are the last 40 days before Easter starting on Ash Wednesday during which you’re supposed to fast and give-up on luxuries. So you better enjoy the last days before all this fasting starts. This is what people all over the world do, whether it’s the famous Carnivals in Rio or Venice, Mardi Gras in New Orleans or the … Read More
Nikolausfeier 2016
Do you know where Santa Claus got his name from? From the Dutch. Their name for the legendary bishop Saint Nicholas of Myra is Sinterklaas which turned into Santa Claus. And the Germans call the same person Nikolaus. There are a few differences between Santa Claus and Nikolaus. Santa Claus wears a white trimmed red coat, rides around in a … Read More
Laternenlauf 2016
Every year in fall around November 10th or 11th little kids in Germany go out on the streets at dusk holding self-made little lanterns and singing songs for the traditional Laternenlauf (lantern walk). In Catholic regions it is also called a St.Martin’s-Umzug as it happens on November 11th which is St.Martin’s day to honor the saint, who cut his coat … Read More