German Culture

All about Germany

Good Friday – Karfreitag

Many people in Germany mark the crucifixion of Jesus by participating in church services and processions on Good Friday (Karfreitag), which is two days before Easter Sunday. For others, it is the start of a long weekend and possibly a spring vacation. Good Friday is a public holiday in all German states. Post offices, banks, stores and other … [Read more...]

Pfingsten – Pentecost in Germany

Pentecost is a religious holiday in Germany to mark the Holy Spirit's descent on Jesus' followers. Many local and regional customs are also associated with Pentecost Sunday, which is also known as Whitsunday. The dove often symbolizes the Holy Spirit, who is believed to have descended on to Jesus' followers. Pentecost marks this … [Read more...]

Easter Monday – Ostermontag

Easter Monday (Ostermontag) is an annual public holiday in Germany that follows Easter Sunday, which remembers Jesus Christ's resurrection, according to Christian belief. It is observed with various local customs. These include early morning candle-lit parades, walks in the countryside and egg races. Egg races (Eierlauf) are held in some villages. … [Read more...]

Christmas traditions 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...]

German Christmas Carols

The following are the complete German texts of some of the most popular German Christmas carols. Most English versions of "Silent Night" include just three verses. These correspond to a translation from the original text of verses 1, 6 and 2, in that order. Next to the German text below is a direct translation into English. The intent here is not … [Read more...]

Halloween: Trick or Treat?

Trick or Treat? Treat!!! November... Cold biting wind is howling outside the window, the pale moon is swimming above the naked trees, and one can almost see all kinds of broom-riding witches and foggy ghosts in the dark... Isn't it the best party time for Halloween?!? Halloween party will not be Halloween party without great costumes and … [Read more...]

Oktoberfest…The Fest Of Times

Oktoberfest was started long ago, it dates back to 1810, when a royal wedding of King Ludwig I and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen took place on Theresienwiese ("Theresa's fields"). As time passed by, Oktoberfest lost its original meaning, but preserved and even more acquired the spirit of overall joy and happiness. Nowadays this is the … [Read more...]

German Reunification: Bored or Happy?

On October 3, Germany celebrates its Unification Day (Tag der Deutschen Einheit). This day back in 1990 brought a happy and a very significant event on the world political scene. The symbol of the Cold War - the Berlin Wall - was torn down, and East Germans could freely face the world. To have a better understanding of what actually happened in … [Read more...]

The Tradition of Sylvester in Germany

In Germany, New Year’s Eve is not simply the closing of a calendar. It is Sylvester, a night filled with traditions that reflect centuries of history, layers of folklore, and a cultural instinct for marking transitions with intentional ritual. Germans view Sylvester not only as a time for celebration, but also as a symbolic threshold between old … [Read more...]

German Maiwein

May Wine is a traditional May Day beverage Maiwein (May Wine) is a German drink, dedicated to springtime and flavored with fresh Waldmeister (sweet woodruff). Maiwein, a white wine, imported from Germany, can be found in stores. Waldmeister is a fragrant herb, a small plant with white blossoms. In Germany it grows in the forests. However, the … [Read more...]