What is Martin's Day and why is it celebrated?
St. Martin's Day (Martinstag) on November 11 is a religious observance in Germany that is particularly popular with children. It is dedicated to St. Martin of Tours and celebrates modesty and altruism - both values commonly associated with the Saint.
What is a tradition on St Martin's Eve or day?
A tradition on St. Martin's Eve or Day is to share a goose for dinner. Saint Martin's Day, also called the Funeral of Saint Martin, Martinstag or Martinmas, as well as Old Halloween and Old Hallowmas Eve, is the Funeral day of Saint Martin of Tours (else Martin le Miséricordieux) and is celebrated on 11 November each year.
How do German children celebrate St Martin's Day?
After Halloween ends, German children have a second opportunity for collecting sweets and treats. On November 11 each year, thousands of young and old celebrate St Martin’s Day, especially in the predominantly catholic areas of the Rhineland and Southern Germany.
What is St Martin's Day in Sweden?
St Martin's Day was an important medieval autumn feast, and the custom of eating goose spread to Sweden from France. In early November, geese are ready for slaughter, and on St. Martin's Eve (Mårtensafton), 10 November, it is time for the traditional dinner of roast goose.
Where is Saint Martin's day celebrated?
The day is celebrated on the evening of 10 November in a small part of Belgium (mainly in the west of Flanders and around Ypres). Children go through the streets with paper lanterns and candles, and sing songs about St. Martin.
Why do Germans celebrate St. Martin?
Actually, this holiday originated from France, then spread to Germany, Scandinavia, and Eastern Europe. It is considered to be the most popular of all the saints' days. St. Martin's day celebrates the end of the agrarian year and the beginning of the harvesting.
Do Germans celebrate 11 November?
St. Martin's Day (Martinstag) on November 11 is a religious observance in Germany that is particularly popular with children. It is dedicated to St. Martin of Tours and celebrates modesty and altruism - both values commonly associated with the Saint.
Why is St. Martin so popular?
The island's French side is known for its nude beaches, fashion, shopping (including outdoor markets), and high quality French and Indian Caribbean cuisine. All in all, St Maarten has a lot to offer tourists, and compared to similar size Caribbean islands there is a lot going on here…
Who was St Martin?
Martin was a Roman soldier who was born in 315 AD in Szombathely, which is now in Hungary.
How is he celebrated?
In ours and other areas of Germany, as well as neighbouring areas of the Netherlands and Belgium, St Martin is celebrated on or around 11 November.
Weckmänner
After a St Martin’s procession, children also normally receive fruit and nuts and a ‘Weckmann’. They are also known as Stutenkerle, Piepenkerle, Hefekerle, Kloskaehlsche, Printenmänner, Hanselmänner, Klasenmänner or Jahresmänner.
Goose
Traditionally at this time of year, you also eat ‘Martins Gans’ or roast goose. Why goose?
What about the dressing up?
In the German Rhineland, children definitely do not miss out on the chance to dress up.
What about jack-o-lanterns?
Jack-o-lanterns are the one thing that we don’t specifically have here. However, there is little difference between a jack-o-lantern and a lantern carved out of beets…
Why was Martin of Tours a monk?
Later in his life, he found Christianity and became a monk. Because of his exemplary way of life he was appointed Bishop of Tours (against his will). Many legends surround his life, which is possibly why children love his saint day so much. The most famous tale tells how he cut his cloak in half in order to share it with a beggar who was dying of the cold.
What is the German holiday on November 11?
On November 11 each year, thousands of young and old celebrate St Martin’s Day, especially in the predominantly catholic areas of the Rhineland and Southern Germany.
What does St. Martin's Day mean?
Saint Martin’s day is here! Traditionally, that means: children dressing up, crafting beautiful paper lanterns, going door-to-door singing “ St Martin ritt durch Schnee und Wind ” and getting sweets, fruit and other treats in return - although celebrations are likely to look a little different this year .
Where did Saint Martin's Day originate?
Saint Martin’s Day in Germany. Saint Martin’s Day originated in France and has spread all over Europe. It not only celebrates the life of Saint Martin but also the end of the agrarian year and the end of harvest.
What did Martin see when he woke up?
That night Martin had a vision of Jesus, clutching his cloak and telling angels that Martin had given it to him. In some versions, he awoke to find his cloak whole again. The experience was enough to cement his belief in the Christian faith and he was baptised shortly after.
What happened to Martin in 371 AD?
In 371 AD, Martin was tricked into visiting city of Tours. He was summoned to help the sick but, on his arrival, he was taken to the church and consecrated as a bishop. According to the stories, Martin tried to run from this position and hid in a barn full of geese, however their quacking gave him away. This is why goose is commonly eaten of Saint ...
What religion did Martin follow?
After leaving the army, Martin became a follower of Trinitarian Christianity (the belief in the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are three distinct entities but are spiritually one force). After a disagreement over Christian beliefs in the Imperial Court, he was exiled from Illyria and went to live on an island as a hermit. One story tells of how Martin fell ill from eating a hellebore plant, on the verge of death he prayed and was miraculously cured.
Why did Saint Martin refuse to meet the Emperor?
He was also well known for freeing prisoners, so much so that even when the Emperor heard he was visiting, he refused to meet Martin as he knew he would request the release of prisoners! Saint Martin has become a model for leading a good Christian life throughout history.
What is the Advent season?
The Advent season is derived from a 6th century Christian tradition, whereby worshippers would fast from Saint Martin’s Day until January 6, the day of the Feast of the Three Wise Men. Saint Martin’s day is often referred to as Martinmas, the day where Saint Martin is honoured with a Mass. As the Mass coincides with the end ...
Is St. Martin's Day a Public Holiday?
St. Martin's Day is not a public holiday. Businesses have normal opening hours.
What Do People Do?
Many children build their own lanterns in the run-up to November 11. In the evening on St. Martin's Day there are lantern processions ( Martinsumzüge or Laternenumzüge) in towns and cities all over Germany. Often they are lead by an actor impersonating the Saint, usually dressed up as a Roman soldier riding on a horse.
Public Life
St. Martin's Day is not a public holiday in Germany. Offices, banks, schools and business are open as usual. Public transport runs on a normal schedule. The lantern processions may cause minor delays.
Background
Saint Martin of Tours (316 - 297 CE) initially worked as a Roman legionary but was later appointed the third Bishop of Tours. According to lore, he was a modest and altruistic man. The legend about his saving a homeless person from freezing to death by giving him half of his cloak is known to children in all parts of Germany.
Young wine in celebration of St. Martin
St. Martin wines are always the first wines of the new vintage. These are fresh and fruity wines, which have matured for only a few weeks, but during this time, they had enough to acquire their distinctive character. For a wine to bear the St.
Svatomartinský košt (St. Martin wine tasting) – start of the celebrations
The Czech association of winemakers, called the Wine Fund (Vinařský Fond), is once again planning the largest tasting of St. Martin wines in the Czech Republic on 11/11 at 11 am on Brno's Náměstí Svobody square. The St. Martin wine tasting traditionally offers 100 samples of St. Martin wines from 100 different winemakers.
A cornucopia in the market and gallery
City markets are not far behind either. There are fewer of them this year compared to previous years, due to the continuing uncertainty about the pandemic situation. Even so, some of the markets will open their gates. In Prague, for example, the farmers' market on Kubánské Náměstí square.
When is Sint Maarten Day?
According to the Prime Minister, Sint Maarten Day, by law, is celebrated only on November 11th, and unlike other public holidays, there is no provision for an alternate date if the holiday falls on a weekend.
What did Martin dream about?
That night, Martin dreamt of Jesus, wearing the half-cloak and saying to the angels, "Here is Martin, the Roman soldier who is now baptised; he has clothed me.". Martin's part of the cloak became an important relic in the middle ages.
Is November 11th a holiday?
On the French side, November 11th has officially been a public holiday for Armistice Day since 1918. In the early 1950's the local elected officials of both Dutch and French side got together to establish a celebration that acknowledged Christopher Columbus' sighting of Sint Maarten on November 11th, establishing St.
What is Martinmas celebrated for?
Customs, Traditions And Celebrations. Traditionally, Martinmas was a time when the cattle was slaughtered and the winter wheat was sown. It was also a time when traditionally wine was ready to be drank. Today, it is still celebrated very much as a fall holiday with much food and drink consumed during this time.
What is the feast day of Martinsfeuer?
In many parts of Europe – particularly in parts of Germany and Austria – this feast day is celebrated with the lighting of huge bonfires called Martinsfeuer. There is also usually a lantern procession where children carry lanterns and sing songs. In Ireland, there are several traditions performed on this day. ...
Where was Martin of Tours born?
Martin of Tours was born in 316 AD in what is now modern-day Hungary . Since his father was a veteran Roman officer, he was required to join the Roman cavalry – which he did at the age of fifteen. In 334 or 335, he is believed to have been placed in the Emperor’s elite cavalry unit – one which followed the Emperor around the provinces to protect him from attacks. St. Martin would serve in the Roman military for another two years before he would go on to become a disciple of Hilary of Poitiers.
What did Martin do to destroy the pagan temples?
In 371, Martin became Bishop of Tours and began a campaign to destroy all of the pagan altars and temples that existed during the time. During much of this campaign, he received vocal opposition from the priests of many pagan religions – particular those of the druids.
