The Germans love to party. This is evident from the fact that they take from other countries like festivals. An example of this is Halloween. Halloween is not a German custom. It was originally celebrated in Ireland and brought to America by the Irishman. There is now a very important festival has become.
Here in Germany there is no tradition of Halloween. Nevertheless Halloween is celebrated by many Germans since the 90s. Some German host Halloween parties. And some kids actually go from house to house collecting candy. Some bars and restaurants also host Halloween parties, they decorate their rooms with artificial cobwebs and skeletons.
Halloween is easy to fall to, it shows also in the decoration. In the fall we make a pumpkin soup and make small ornamental gourds on the table as decoration. We collect chestnuts and red and yellow leaves of trees and arrange them into a beautiful picture. Some German hollow out pumpkins and even put a candle inside - just like in America.
However, the significance of Halloween is not big in Germany. We have other customs, which are old and come from our region. A custom is the singing Martin. On 11 November pull children from house to house singing songs - as a reward, they get candy or fruit. This is a Catholic custom that the coming of Halloween is very close - except that the children call Halloween "Trick or Treat" to sing instead. When Martin singing the children wear homemade colorful lanterns with candles inside. This looks especially nice in the dark. The best-known song is "I'll go with my lantern - and my lantern with me. Look to the stars shine down and illuminate us. " For Martin's on 11 November is a story that reminds us of the Holy Martin. He had shared his cloak with a beggar.
Another important tradition is All Saints Day on 1 November. But I've already told you in another episode. On All Saints' Day commemorates the dead, so it's a rather sad holiday. So dancing is illegal in Catholic regions - from midnight. Halloween parties have to be very quiet so after midnight.
Although I myself am invited to two Halloween parties, but will not go. I will disguise myself, and not to distribute any Halloween candy to children. I will be happy but the next day and to seeing my family at All Saints.
How do you do it? How do you celebrate Halloween in your country? If you feel like, writes in the comments on slowgerman.com - in German or English.
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The Germans love to party. This is evident from the fact that they take from other countries like festivals. An example of this is Halloween. Halloween is not a German custom. It was originally ...
