Osterhase is the name given in Germany to the Easter Bunny.
The tradition, which dates back to the 17th Century, says that the Osterhase decorates eggs at Easter and hides them in people’s gardens, although the practise became more common in the 20th Century.
Children go out into the garden on Easter Sunday and look for the eggs.
To hear a simple explanation and a short discussion in German, listen to the podcast:
(Press the “play” button to listen to the podcast)
An Osterei is an Easter Egg, and can refer to different types of eggs. There are boiled eggs that have been coloured, blown-out egg-shells that have been decorated, and chocolate eggs that often have fillings inside them.
As in many countries, the eggs represent the spring and fertility, and is a tradition that goes back to the 13th Century, even though the term “Osterei” was probably first used in the 17th Century.
Many people hang decorated eggs on twigs in their front gardens.
To hear a simple explanation and a short discussion in German, listen to the podcast:
(Press the “play” button to listen to the podcast)
Aschermittwoch is the German name for Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. Although it is not a public holiday, most companies will allow their employees time off during the day to go to church, if they wish to.
At church, people are blessed with a cross on the forehead made from the ashes of last year’s palm leaves.
This is also the day on which the policital parties hold their regional meetings. The use them to plan for the coming political year, and also to critise the policies of their opponents.
To hear a simple explanation and a short discussion in German, listen to the podcast:
(Press the “play” button to listen to the podcast)
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