Holidays and Celebrations in German-Speaking CountriesHolidays and Celebrations in German-Speaking Countries

By Jacob Scribner

PRE 770

By Jacob Scribner

PRE 770

Heilige Drei Koenige (Epiphany)Heilige Drei Koenige (Epiphany)

Celebrated January 6th Not all of Germany celebrates this day

(mostly celebrated by members of Catholic and Eastern Churches)

The holiday observes the revelation of the god of the Bible in human form, and it is celebrated by a feast with cake as the main dish

Celebrated January 6th Not all of Germany celebrates this day

(mostly celebrated by members of Catholic and Eastern Churches)

The holiday observes the revelation of the god of the Bible in human form, and it is celebrated by a feast with cake as the main dish

Tag der Arbeit (Labour Day)Tag der Arbeit (Labour Day)

Celebrated on May 1st and is observed by all of Germany

Became an official holiday in 1933 after the Nazi Party rose to power

Although the Nazis outlawed free unions the day after endorsing this holiday, many German workers still continued to observe and celebrate it anyway.

Celebrated on May 1st and is observed by all of Germany

Became an official holiday in 1933 after the Nazi Party rose to power

Although the Nazis outlawed free unions the day after endorsing this holiday, many German workers still continued to observe and celebrate it anyway.

Oktoberfest (October Festival)Oktoberfest (October Festival)

Celebrated from the middle of September to early October. This custom was started to allow the attendees to enjoy the festivities in warmer weather.

Originated on October 12, 1810 as a wedding celebration between Prince Ludwig I and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen and ended five days later.

Over the centuries, it has become the biggest festival in the world, attracting an average of six million people each year.

Celebrated from the middle of September to early October. This custom was started to allow the attendees to enjoy the festivities in warmer weather.

Originated on October 12, 1810 as a wedding celebration between Prince Ludwig I and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen and ended five days later.

Over the centuries, it has become the biggest festival in the world, attracting an average of six million people each year.

Tag der Deutschen Einheit (German Unity Day)

Tag der Deutschen Einheit (German Unity Day)

Celebrated nationwide by Germany every October 3rd to commemorate the reunification of Germany in 1989.

It began in Berlin in 1990, and every year it is celebrated in one of the German State Capitals in rotation.

The holiday is typically celebrated by the consumption of beer.

Celebrated nationwide by Germany every October 3rd to commemorate the reunification of Germany in 1989.

It began in Berlin in 1990, and every year it is celebrated in one of the German State Capitals in rotation.

The holiday is typically celebrated by the consumption of beer.

SchnitzelbankSchnitzelbank

Literally translating to “carving bench,” this is a song which is commonly sung by children for learning new words and by adults during large social celebratory gatherings.

The song involves adding rhyming pairs of words to each new verse and repeating those words backwards to the refrain.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96HbPgDmMuk

Literally translating to “carving bench,” this is a song which is commonly sung by children for learning new words and by adults during large social celebratory gatherings.

The song involves adding rhyming pairs of words to each new verse and repeating those words backwards to the refrain.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96HbPgDmMuk

KrampusKrampus

While this mythical creature is believed to predate Christian tradition, he is a demon-like beast who accompanies Saint Nicholas during the Christmas season.

Observed mostly in Austria, many young men during the first few weeks of December dress up as Krampus and go about town causing mischief.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSFAUyZVfdQ

While this mythical creature is believed to predate Christian tradition, he is a demon-like beast who accompanies Saint Nicholas during the Christmas season.

Observed mostly in Austria, many young men during the first few weeks of December dress up as Krampus and go about town causing mischief.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSFAUyZVfdQ

Knecht Ruprecht (Servant Rupert)

Knecht Ruprecht (Servant Rupert)

While not as beastly as Krampus, Knecht Ruprecht is another mythological companion of Saint Nicholas observed by people in central Europe.

There are many different versions of Ruprecht’s character, but he is commonly seen as Saint Nicholas’s enforcer. Nicholas rewards the well-behaved children, and Ruprecht punishes the naughty children--usually with a small whip.

While not as beastly as Krampus, Knecht Ruprecht is another mythological companion of Saint Nicholas observed by people in central Europe.

There are many different versions of Ruprecht’s character, but he is commonly seen as Saint Nicholas’s enforcer. Nicholas rewards the well-behaved children, and Ruprecht punishes the naughty children--usually with a small whip.

Donauinselfest (Danube Island Festival)

Donauinselfest (Danube Island Festival)

Celebrated in Vienna, Austria since 1983. Three-day concert usually held in June on a series

of small islands on the Danube River. In recent years, the festival has drawn nearly three

million from around the world. Previous acts have included Falco, Bloodhound

Gang, and Chris Daughtry http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qO4XUZnP-eI

Celebrated in Vienna, Austria since 1983. Three-day concert usually held in June on a series

of small islands on the Danube River. In recent years, the festival has drawn nearly three

million from around the world. Previous acts have included Falco, Bloodhound

Gang, and Chris Daughtry http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qO4XUZnP-eI

YodelingYodeling While it is believed that yodeling was developed around the

Swiss and Austrian Alps as a way of communicating between mountain peaks, it later became a part of the local culture and incorporated into the region’s music.

Yodeling is often done in the mountains or near lakes so as the singer can hear his or her voice echo off of the natural acoustics.

After being integrated into the local culture, yodeling is sometimes performed during celebrations involving singing and dancing to allow crowd interaction and to create merriment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qO4XUZnP-eI

While it is believed that yodeling was developed around the Swiss and Austrian Alps as a way of communicating between mountain peaks, it later became a part of the local culture and incorporated into the region’s music.

Yodeling is often done in the mountains or near lakes so as the singer can hear his or her voice echo off of the natural acoustics.

After being integrated into the local culture, yodeling is sometimes performed during celebrations involving singing and dancing to allow crowd interaction and to create merriment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qO4XUZnP-eI