St. Martin's Day

When Americans celebrate Veteran's Day, people in Germany are celebrating St. Martin's Day. It's a really nice little holiday commemorating the man who ripped his cloak in half so that a poor man might have some warmth. The children all make lanterns at kindergarten. Then after a reenactment of the actual ripping of the cloak, the children walk through the village with their lanterns singing really nice songs about lanterns and stars and so forth. Afterwards they get a free giant pretzel and the adults get to eat cake and drink mulled wine. I love this holiday here, and I was glad the kids got to participate again.

View of the church steps and all the lanterns.


St. Martin himself!


Savannah with the lantern she made, and Collin with one from year's past. It rained that night, so the picture was better taken inside.