Soon, it will be Saint Martin’s Day!
If you would like to handcraft lanterns, have a look at the tipps. Or if you would like to get informed about Saint Martin, simply click on the following series.
1/8
If you already have children, you are probably familiar with Saint Martin’s Day. On this day, children carrying their own handcrafted lanterns march the streets on a so-called “Sankt-Martins-Zug” with someone dressed in a red coat, wearing a soldier ‘s helmet and riding a horse… just like Saint Martin.
Do you know the story behind Saint Martin?
Martin, whose father was a Roman military tribune, lived in the 4th century. Despite his unwillingness to become a soldier, Martin had to become a soldier like his father. According to a legend, Martin became a symbol of charity after sharing his coat with a freezing beggar. Saint Martin, furthermore, was one of the first people to convert to Christianity and even become canonized.
2/8
What do Germans do on Saint Martin’s Day?
In many regions people often enjoy eating the famous “Martins-Gans”. There is also a legend associated with that dish: Martin was named the bishop of the city Tour. However, he never believed in his competence to become the city’s bishop. Thus, he decided to hide in a goose stall, where the geese chattered loudly and draw attention to Martin, who was later found by Tour’s citizens and named the city’s bishop.
Photo: Sawsan Ibrahim
3/8
“Stutenkerle”
Bakeries often sell a special pastry on this occasion: the so-called “Stutenkerl”. Some people in some regions also refer to it as “Weckmann”. The “Stutenkerl” always has a whistle, which should remind people of St. Martin’s crosier.
4/8
What about St. Martin’s Day this year?
The marches in the streets had been cancelled during the pandemic but wil take place this year again. However, people managed even in the corona months to come up with ideas to celebrate this day: people in Langerfeld displayed their lanterns behind their windows so that people could have a look at them in the darkness.
Ideas for lanterns:
Here are some handicraft-instructions for lanterns in Langerfeld:
http://lichtschneiderei.de/aktion-laternen-fenster/
5/8
You don’t have much time?
Then check out the following instructions to make lanterns out of milk cartons:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAIGKp1e2Zs
6/8
Here is a tutorial for some wonderful folded-lanterns:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mv9p9PR6-gc
7/8
Check out wuppertal’s ultimate lantern:
8/8Vielen Dank an die ehrenamtliche Übersetzung ins Englische an Masa Alkhatib!!
