GLPOP - Laternenfest Kit - Kids & Families
Tradition* Spaß * Familie * Liebe
The time has come to share “Laternenfest” November 12th
(alternatively known as “Sankt Martinstag”)
with our families interested in the German culture!
This is a beautiful celebration honoring St. Martin, the kind Roman soldier, who selflessly gave part of his clothing to a beggar in a cold storm. Across Germany people organize bonfires & evening walks for the singing children with their lanterns, often led by a man on a horse dressed up as St. Martin. Laternenfest is a great way to celebrate warm, sparkling & delicious traditions with no particular emphasis on religion. In previous (more rural times), St. Martin’s Day signified the completion of winter preparations on the farms: harvesting & seeding. It was a time for people to eat their fattest cow or goose & join together to sing and be merry before beginning the long cold fast in the weeks until Christmas. This celebration of the earth’s generosity is perhaps even comparable to our Thanksgiving?
In Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein & Germany, Martinstag is known as Laternenfest because the “best part” is the happy children carrying their hand-crafted* paper, candle-lit lanterns. Even young children take part in the evening procession, singing*, sometimes led by a rider on a white horse, who represents St. Martin in his red cloak. At the end of this “lantern walk”, the children receive a special freshly baked cookie called a “Weckmann*”. In this way, the custom is very similar to Halloween’s trick-or-treat.
(*Photos, Lyrics & Recipe hereby included:)
Mit Liebe zusammengestellt von GLPOP Lehrerin Katja Glühr
Tradition* Spaß * Familie * Liebe
This is a great link to an (all in English:) detailed set of instructions for how to make your own beautiful lanterns, using simple materials found easily in your own home. We encourage you to share in the joy of making them, letting each family member contribute his/her creativity and “artisan” skills!
Mit Liebe zusammengestellt von GLPOP Lehrerin Katja Glühr
Tradition* Spaß * Familie * Liebe
Freshly baked “Weckmänner”
~ makes 4 Weckmänner ~
Feel free to double or triple the quantity! :)
~ Ingredients for this “Sweet Bread”
250 g Quark (a German equivalent to 125 g sour cream PLUS 125 g cream cheese)
1 (separated) egg
125 g sugar
1 package vanilla sugar, (0.5oz)
1 package baking powder, 0.3oz
400 g flour
raisins
egg yolk
~ Baking Instructions
1. Mix flour with baking powder.
2. Mix quark, egg, vanilla sugar and sugar, then add the flour. Knead it until you have a smooth dough. If the dough is too firm add some tbsp milk.
3. Make 4 Weckmänner:
Roll dough (thick as a finger) size 20cm x 10cm
4. Cut in on both sides for the arms, cut a triangle for the legs.
5. With remaining dough make the head.
6. Press raisins for the eyes into the dough. You also can make a nose and buttons. If you have the ceramic pipe place it into the part of the head where the mouth is.
7. Pre-Heat oven to 350 F.
8. Beat an egg yolk, and with a baking brush spread it all over the bread.
9. Lightly oil a baking tray (or layer with parchment paper).
10. Bake them for 30 min on 350 F.
Watch out so they will not get brown; cover with foil to be on the safe side. If you want to fill 2 baking trays reduce temperature to 340 F, the baking time will be shorter.
Check YouTube for great instructional baking videos as well! :)
Mit Liebe zusammengestellt von GLPOP Lehrerin Katja Glühr
Tradition* Spaß * Familie * Liebe
Mit Liebe zusammengestellt von GLPOP Lehrerin Katja Glühr
Tradition* Spaß * Familie * Liebe
Lieder – song lyrics
Ich geh’ mit meiner Laterne, und meine Laterne mit mir.
Da oben leuchten die Sterne, hier unten leuchten wir.
Mein Licht ist aus, ich geh nach Haus.
Rabimmel, rabammel, rabumm.
Der Hahn, der kräht, die Katz’ miaut,
Rabimmel, rabammel, rabumm.
Ich geh’ mit meiner Laterne, und meine Laterne mit mir.
Da oben leuchten die Sterne, hier unten leuchten wir.
Mein Licht ist an, ich geh voran.
Rabimmel, rabammel, rabumm.
Mein Licht ist schön, könnt ihr es sehn?
Rabimmel, rabammel, rabumm.
Ich geh’ mit meiner Laterne, und meine Laterne mit mir.
Da oben leuchten die Sterne, hier unten leuchten wir.
Ich trag mein Licht, ich fürcht mich nicht.
Rabimmel, rabammel, rabumm.
Sankt Martin hier, wir leuchten dir.
Rabimmel, rabammel, rabumm.
Ich geh’ mit meiner Laterne, und meine Laterne mit mir.
Da oben leuchten die Sterne, hier unten leuchten wir.
Wie schön das klingt, wenn jeder singt.
Rabimmel, rabammel, rabumm.
Mein Licht geht aus, wir geh’n nach Haus.
Rabimmel, rabammel, rabumm.
Check YouTube for great videos including the music & lyrics as well! :)
Mit Liebe zusammengestellt von GLPOP Lehrerin Katja Glühr