11/11 @ 11:11; November 11th at 11 minutes past the 11th hour marks the begining of Karneval or Fasching. German children celebrate with a tradition that has evolved over time and has been ongoing for hundreds of years, they remember a reluctant hero, St. Martin of Tours. Children aged 11 and under gather together at dusk carrying lanterns and sing special lanterns songs, songs of the harvest and songs of the land, they walk thru the town, sometimes St. Nicolas joins them and usually the procession involves a bonfire as well as treats for the children as they remember St. Martin, a 4th century Roman soldier who is best known for his compassion for the poor. Many legends surround his life, my favorite is the telling of how he cut his cloak in half to share with a beggar who was freezing in a snowstorm. Traditionally, goose is eaten on this day, St. Martin is said to have tried to hide in a barn full of geese to avoid being appointed Bishop, the geese gave his location away. It is no coincidence this is the time of year when donations are asked for, all in the name of St. Martin of Tours.
My 10 year old friend Fatima asked if I would accompany her as our village celebrated St. Martin's day last Sunday. We met at the edge of town and it seemed as if most of the village was there, including the local marching band as well as our escort, the local fire department. Usually , the children make their lanterns at school, they are so colorful, all shapes and sizes. The evening was crisp and clear as dusk descended the anticipation and excitement grew. The band started playing and off we went...up and down streets, singing songs handed down thru generations, we marched thru town to the sound of the band and the melody of many voices. We stopped at one point and watched as a bonfire was lit, after gazing for a while, we continued thru town and on to the Dorfehalle, where children were given treats and a Weckmänner, a traditional bread in the shape of a man holding a pipe, only baked this time of year.
All throughout Europe variations of this celebration take place. Fatima told me that Tuesday, I must attend the Waldfuecht version, she is excited because there is a real horse and rider depicting St. Martin and it promises to be much bigger and better. I explained to her that being (the only American) included in the Bruggelchen festivities was a wonderful experience for me, a special evening spent with the villagers as they gathered together in rememberence of this beloved Saint......below a verse from one of the many songs sung:
Ich geh' mit meiner Laterne
I go with my lantern
Und meine Laterne mit mir.
And my lantern goes with me.
Dort oben leuchten die Sterne,
Up above the stars are shining,
Hier unten, da leuchten wir.
Down here we're shining.
Der Martinsmann, der zieht voran.
St. Martin, he marches on.
Rabimmel, rabammel, rabum.
Rabimmel, rabammel, rabum.
Der Martinsmann, der zieht voran.
St. Martin, he marches on.
Rabimmel, rabammel, rabum.
Rabimmel, rabammel, rabum.
And now to post this blog at the official start of the Karneval season..............
love and miss you all
