Popular German tradition St. Martin’s Day processions begin on Friday
Bad Godesberg/Wachtberg · A beloved German tradition begins this Friday with a first St. Martin’s procession in historic Muffendorf. More schools and communities will hold their processions in the coming weeks, and children will sing from door to door.
“Lantern, lantern, sun, moon, and stars. . . " This refrain will echo through the streets as colorful handmade lanterns, St. Martin’s torches and blazing bonfires light up the dark autumn skies beginning this Friday. Numerous St. Martin’s processions will take place around Bad Godesberg and Wachtberg. Saint Martin’s Day is officially on November 11 but each community may have its procession on a different day. The time-honored tradition in Germany honors the legend of Saint Martin. On horseback, he is said to have stopped and cut his cloak in half to share with a beggar, to save him from dying in the cold. After performing this act of generosity, the legend goes that he left military service and became baptized as a Christian, helping people in need.
Today’s processions are typically led by “St. Martin” in uniform on horseback, with adults and children following behind, singing songs and carrying bright lanterns of all shapes and designs. It is a particularly popular tradition for children and school groups, but adults also enjoy the enchanting atmosphere. Following the procession, a huge bonfire awaits the crowd, and children are given “Weckmänner”, a baked treat in the shape of a man holding a pipe in his mouth. Hot spiced wine and hot cocoa are also part of the custom.
After the bonfire, many children go from house to house in the neighborhoods, singing St. Martin’s songs and collecting sweets. During this time, it’s always good to have a bag of candy on hand. If you hear a group of children singing at your door, you will know what they came for!
Here is just a selection of processions that will be happening in Bad Godesberg and Wachtberg:
Muffendorf
Friday, November 3 at 5:30 pm. This is a community procession and it starts at the Catholic Church of St. Martin on Klosterbergstraße 4. It leads through the historical old village with half-timbered houses. Afterwards, the bonfire is at Remi-Baert-Platz.
Plittersdorf
Monday, November 6 at 5pm. Children and parents from the Christus Church Kindergarten begin from their building. Donatus School has a procession on Wednesday, November 8 and Goten School one day later on Thursday.
Mehlem
On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, November 6, 7 & 8, German schools and kindgergartens in Mehlem will hold their processions.
Villenviertel
On Tuesday, November 7, the Beethoven School children will begin at 5:30 pm from Denglerstraße. Two days later on November 9, the Paul-Klee-School will hold its procession on Rheinallee.
Heiderhof
On Tuesday, November 14, the German primary school will hold its procession on the Heiderhof.
Lannesdorf
The Lyngsberg School will hold its procession on Thursday, November 16 at 5:30, with singing in the village square at 6:30 pm.
Wachtberg
Gimmersdorf and Ließem will have processions on Saturday, November 4 beginning at 5 and 5:30 pm.
Villiprot will have a procession on November 11 at 5pm with hot cocoa and hot spiced wine in the village square.
Berkum is planning a St. Martin’s procession for November 14, Tuesday at 6:30 pm beginning from the school center.
Niederbachem will have a procession on Thursday, November 16 and the last processions for Wachtberg will be on November 17 in Villip and Züllighoven.
More information can be found at: www.bonn.de/@martinszuege
Orig. text: Bettina Köhl/Carol Kloeppel
Translation: ckloep
