The first known Christmas tree was set up in 1419 in Freiburg by the town bakers, who decorated the tree with fruits, nuts, and baked goods, which the children were allowed to remove and eat on New Year's Day. So, German Christians were the first to bring the trees into their homes to decorate or use a Christmas pyramid made of wood in areas where … [Read more...]
Christmas Markets and Advent in Germany
Christmas market in Frankfurt No one does Christmas quite like Germany. Its festive holiday season kicks off at the end of November and runs up until the beginning of January, and includes traditional cookies and cakes like Lebkuchen and Pfeffernüsse sold in stores and markets, decorative trees and wreaths filling public spaces, and picturesque old … [Read more...]
Christmas in Germany
Christmas (Weihnachten) is considered to be the most important of the major holidays in Germany. Not only the holiday itself, but also the weeks leading up to the celebration of Christmas involve many traditions and customs. Christmas preparations in Germany begin from 1st of December as people bake spiced cakes, gingerbread houses and cookies, … [Read more...]
October 28 in German History
October 28, 1017 Birth of the Holy Roman Emperor, Heinrich III, called the Black or the Pious, who was a member of the Salian Dynasty of Holy Roman Emperors. He was the eldest son of Conrad II of Germany and Gisela of Swabia. His father made him duke of Bavaria (as Heinrich VI) in 1026, after the death of Duke Heinrich V. On Easter Day … [Read more...]
October 25 in German History
October 25, 1760 Death of George II in London (born in Hanover). George II followed his father, George I as Elector of Hanover (Holy Roman Empire) and King of England. George II was born in Hanover, Germany like his father and grew up on the continent. Unlike his father, he learned English before he became king of England. A lover of music, he … [Read more...]
Halloween’s Origins and Traditions of Celebration in Germany
Halloween is when all demons and witches are out for the night hunting, and when there are pumpkins glaring out of the windows, and when it's better to give a treat instead of being tricked... Halloween is celebrated each year on October 31. It had its beginnings in an ancient, pre-Christian Celtic festival of the dead. The Celtic peoples, who … [Read more...]
How Did Halloween Come to Germany?
Until the late 20th century, Halloween was virtually unknown in Germany. Ask an older German about October 31st, and they would likely mention Reformationstag or preparations for Allerheiligen (All Saints’ Day), not costumes, pumpkins, or trick-or-treating. Yet today, Halloween in Germany is impossible to ignore. Children ring doorbells calling … [Read more...]
Oktoberfest in Germany
Oktoberfest is a 16-day beer festival held annually in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, running from late September to the first weekend in October. Oktoberfest is one of the most famous events in Germany and is the world's largest fair, with more than 5 million people attending every year. Oktoberfest is an important part of Bavarian culture, having been … [Read more...]
Roast Pork and Sauerkraut
Okay, so sauerkraut and pork isn’t all that sexy, but what it lacks in fancy ingredients and visual appeal it more than makes up for in flavor and pure comfort food bliss. Ingredients: *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* 3-4lb pork shoulder roast 2 lbs sauerkraut, well drained 1 onion, sliced 1 golden delicious apple, peeled … [Read more...]
German Potato Salad
German Potato Salad (Bavarian Kartoffelsalat) is a popular variation which is generally served warm. It is typically more sour in taste and contains pork or bacon. Potato salad from northern Germany, however, is generally based on mayonnaise and quite similar to its US counterpart. Ingredients: *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* 4 slices … [Read more...]