Der Weihnachtsmarkt

Der WeihnachtsmarktThe Christmas markets in Germany are known by various different names, most commonly Weihnachtsmarkt, Christkindlmarkt, or Adventmarkt.

The markets offer traditional food and drink, such as Lebkuchen or Glühwein, but also craftwork such as Christmas tree decorations.

There are markets in most German towns. In the larger towns they run for most of Advent, the smaller ones are only for a weekend.

The most famous markets are Nuremberg, Dresden, Erfurt, Frankfurt and Cologne.

In the coming podcasts we will be talking more about German Christmas traditions.

To hear a simple explanation and a short discussion in German, listen to the podcast:

(Press the “play” button to listen to the podcast)

Download a transcript

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Buß- und Bettag

Buß- und Bettag is a day celebrated in the Evangelical Church. It is a day on which to change one’s direction and to turn to God as the Church year comes to an end and we move towards Advent.

It was previously a national holiday, but this was changed from 1995 onwards to finance the new Pflegeversicherung. It remains a holiday in Saxony.

Many families start their Christmas preparations on this day, for example they bake the first Christmas biscuits.

To hear a simple explanation and a short discussion in German, listen to the podcast:

(Press the “play” button to listen to the podcast)

Download a transcript

Download the MP3 file | Subscribe to the podcast

Martinstag

The 11th November is known as Martinstag or Sankt Martin. Originally the start of a 40-day period of fasting before Christmas, it is now more associated with the processions of children holding lanterns that take place after dark. Many families eat goose on this day.

The day also sees the start of the Karneval season.

To hear a simple explanation, a short discussion, and a children’s song in German, listen to the podcast:

(Press the “play” button to listen to the podcast)

Laterne, Laterne,
Sonne, Mond und Sterne,
brenne auf mein Licht,
brenne auf mein Licht,
aber nur meine liebe Laterne nicht.

Download a transcript

Download the MP3 file | Subscribe to the podcast

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