Dear Slow German listeners, I'm sorry that I have been so long not reported. One reason for this project was: I created an audio book on "Oktoberfest 2010". The Oktoberfest is the largest festival in the world, and this year it is 200 years old. The audio book can be bought online, sometimes even at Audible and iTunes, Tradebit currently at a special price. For the slow-German listener I've thought of something: If you buy the audio book and buy me the email sent, then you'll get from me the entire script to read along!

Dear listeners of my podcast - sorry that I have not published any new episodes in such a long time. One of the reasons for my absence was this project: I produced an audio book about the "Oktoberfest 2010". It is celebrating it's bicentennial this year. The audio book can be bought online, at a special price for Tradebit, and in a few weeks also on Audible and iTunes. If one of you Intends to buy the audiobook, please send me the receipt and you will get the transcript Exclusively!

Dear Slow German listeners, I'm sorry that I have been so long not reported. One reason for this project was: I created an audio book on "Oktoberfest 2010". The ...

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. However, 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 ...

I can hardly believe himself - but I have not told you yet of Christmas! So here it for today. In Germany, Christmas is probably the most important festival of the year. I know Easter is for Christians even more important, but Christmas is also less religious people like me a great date.

I've already told you that in Germany there is the Advent. The four Sundays before Christmas, so each lit a candle on a Christmas wreath. And you have an advent calendar, behind the door every day, chocolate or something else is found. Is this waiting period is finally over, it's Christmas. We celebrate as early as 24 December. In my family the day begins after a nice breakfast and lunch so that we recoup the Christmas tree from outside, place it in the apartment together and decorate. But that makes each family differently. Then we get dressed festively, we gather after dark to see the beautiful trees, listening to Christmas music and light the candles. And then the mess. We present the gifts to each other and pack it out. Then there is a festive meal. In many families there on Christmas Eve to eat itself nothing special, but only on the first Christmas holiday, so on 25 December. For us it is already on 24 the evening a delicious fondue.

I've already told you that I am not religious. For me, Christmas is a family festival, a ritual that I look forward to. But of course I respect it, if Christians want to celebrate in my area that day, the birth of Jesus. Many of them go on 24 December in the Church. There are several ways to do that. One can even go to church in the afternoon - then there is usually a children's Christmas pageant with Mette, or you can go late at night, around midnight. Then the church is festively lit, a decorated tree stands at the altar with candles and you see a nativity scene carved with the figures of Mary and Joseph and the newborn. In this Christmas Eve, as the service is called, the churches in Germany are full. Many of the people who normally never go to church would not let themselves miss this special evening.

On 25 and 26 December is a public holiday in Germany, most people do not work also. This time is often used to visit family and celebrate with them yet again. I wish you well now: Merry Christmas! And a Happy New Year.

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I can hardly believe himself - but I have not told you yet of Christmas! So here it for today. In Germany, Christmas is probably the most important ...

In the summer, especially married many couples. That's why I've thought I'll tell you something about weddings today in Germany. The most popular months are May and June, but also in other months held many weddings. Before the marriage is the betrothal. It is in Germany much less important than for example in the USA. There is neither a large diamond ring, or a grand celebration.

Who wants to get married in Germany, who must do first and foremost a lot of paperwork. So the required documents for state agencies. When that's done, you can marry in a civil ceremony. It is therefore at an agreed date to the registry office, and there will be married by the state. Usually this is very fast. The registrar who conducted the ceremony speaks but few words to the couple to agree a common future.

There are various registry offices. Sometimes these are relatively formal offices, without jewelry. Sometimes there are also old council chambers, small castles or you can also get married in castles or on islands. German married but almost always in buildings. Weddings in the open, as are common in America, there are hardly any. This is probably because the weather is too bad.

To marry at the registry office need to be present as a pair. Earlier it was compulsory to have witnesses. These were two people who were close to the couple and the present as a witness at the wedding were. Today it is no longer required by law. Anyone who wants to can after the civil ceremony and marry again in church. Who, for example, a Catholic who marries a Catholic church again. Since most Germans are not very religious, they, the church wedding more important because we are dealing with a solemn ritual. In the church there is festive music, the bride wearing a beautiful white dress, and all the friends and family can be there.

How big of a wedding is left to the bride and groom. Of course, there are celebrations with over 100 guests, many couples prefer to celebrate in a small circle. Often there is also the case that only a few guests to celebrate the actual wedding - and then later a big party celebrating with all the other friends and relatives.

It often happens that will be married on Saturday morning at the registry office, and afterwards in the church. But there are many couples that marriages between two months and even years can pass. Very unusual is to have multiple witnesses, as in the United States. Also, the "Rehearsal Dinner" does not exist. Instead, it's a stag night in which to celebrate the last night of single-pair. This dish is broken that needs to sweep up the couple and then clean up. Shards will bring good luck.

After the marriage at the registry office or church will celebrate yet. They eat together, dance and looks forward to the bridal couple. Important is the first dance of bride and groom, the first waltz they dance together. Here you see all around to dance with them after that though. It is also a custom to cut the wedding cake together. There are many different rituals and customs. Sometimes the bride and groom together cut a tree stump from - teamwork, so to speak. Many celebrations go until well after midnight, and if the couple does not go straight to the honeymoon, celebrate with them until the end.

The Germans marry very late. 2004, a German man was statistically on average 36 years old at marriage. The woman was 33 years old. Incidentally, in Germany, about one in three marriages fail. This means that three married couples to divorce one can.

Suitable for that I have you now brought music, and that "the love is gone," by Marc Loehrwald , found in the Podsafe Music Network.

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In the summer, especially married many couples. That's why I've thought I'll tell you something about weddings today in Germany. The most popular months are May and June, but also in. ..