St. Martin’s tradition in Bonn 1,800 light up the city with lanterns
BONN. · A huge group of children and their parents marched in Bonn’s largest St. Martin’s procession on Thursday evening. Today, there are prayer services at the Münster Cathedral.
Excitement and anticipation filled the Hofgarten at the University of Bonn. On Thursday evening, around 1,800 children and their parents gathered there for the St. Martin’s procession through the inner city of Bonn. It was a chance to light up the city and show off their home-made lanterns.
The kids were grouped into their schools for the procession, which seems to be a Rhineland tradition. Ulrike Tscherna-Bertoldi, who comes from an area near Hamburg says that in northern Germany, all the kids from the various schools mix together.
10-year-old Mia said, “I think the St. Martin’s procession is cool because of all the lanterns in the darkness.” Referring to the story of St. Martin sharing his warm coat with a beggar, 11-year-old Dunya commented, “It’s important that we share.”
Mayor Ashok Sridharan awarded a prize to the school with the best lanterns and then there was the traditional bonfire. St. Martin’s Day is officially celebrated on November 11. At 12:15 p.m., there will be a prayer service in the Bonn Münster Cathedral and a Holy mass at 6 p.m. this evening (Orig. text: Stefan Knopp)
