[[File:Ernst Oppler Abend an der Ostsee.jpg|thumb|”Evening on the Baltic Sea”, painting by [[Ernst Oppler]] (c. 1920)]]
[[File:Ernst Oppler Abend an der Ostsee.jpg|thumb|”Evening on the Baltic Sea”, painting by [[Ernst Oppler]] (c. 1920)]]
[[File:2017-11-10-Martinszug Köln Neuehrenfeld 2017-5378.jpg|thumb|St. Martin’s Day procession in Cologne (2017)]]
[[File:2017-11-10-Martinszug Köln Neuehrenfeld 2017-5378.jpg|thumb|St. Martin’s Day procession in Cologne (2017)]]
””’Laternelaufen””’ {{IPA|de|laˈtɛʁnəˌlaʊ̯fn̩|pron}} (‘Walking with Lanterns’) is a [[Portal:Germany|German]] [[tradition]] for the time around [[St. Martin’s Day]]. On 11 November (or later/earlier for reasons of appointment) [[child]]ren (usually in [[kindergarten]] and [[elementary school]] age) walk along the [[street]]s holding colourful, often self-made [[lantern]]s while singing traditional songs (”Laternenumzug”, ‘Lantern Pageant’).
””’Laternelaufen””’ {{IPA|de|laˈtɛʁnəˌlaʊ̯fn̩|pron}} (‘Walking with Lanterns’) is a [[Portal:Germany|German]] [[tradition]] around [[St. Martin’s Day]] 11 November (usually in [[kindergarten]] and [[elementary school]] ) walk along the [[street]]s holding colourful, often self-made [[lantern]]s while singing traditional songs (”Laternenumzug”, ‘Lantern Pageant’).
== Memorial to St. Martin ==
== Memorial to St. Martin ==
Legend has it that [[Martin of Tours|St. Martin]], a soldier, gave a [[beggar]] the half of his soldier’s coat to protect the man from freezing to death. Afterwards St. Martin became a [[bishop]] in order to help poor people. While this story is commonly known among German children and told in connection with this tradition, it does not explain the custom of promenading along the streets with lanterns. Several reasons why it is done this way can be found (s. [[#Origin of the Tradition|Origin of the Tradition]]).
Legend has it that [[Martin of Tours|St. Martin]], a soldier, gave a [[beggar]] half of to protect the man from freezing to death. Afterwards St. Martin became a [[bishop]] to help poor people. While this story is commonly known among German children and told in connection with this tradition, it does not explain the custom of promenading along the streets with lanterns. Several reasons why it is done this way can be found (s. [[#Origin of the Tradition|Origin of the Tradition]]).
While ”Laternelaufen” is a memorial to St. Martin and therefore usually takes place on 11 November, in some regions of [[Germany]] (that are rather [[Protestantism|Protestant]]) it may take place already on 10 November, because it is mixed up with the celebration of [[Martin Luther]]’s [[birthday]] ([[Martinisingen]]). In some regions there is no fixed day. Depending on the needs of the particular organizers celebrations can often take place on different days in the same city. In [[Catholicism|Catholic]] regions ”Laternelaufen” is also called ”Sankt Martinsumzug” (‘Saint Martin’s Pageant’) focusing on the aspect of sharing. In Austria, the same tradition is called ”Laternenfest”.
While ”Laternelaufen” is a memorial to St. Martin and therefore usually takes place on 11 November, in some regions of [[Germany]] that are [[Protestantism|Protestant]] it may on 10 November because it is the celebration of [[Martin Luther]]’s [[birthday]] ([[Martinisingen]]). In some there is no fixed day. Depending on the needs of the particular organizers celebrations can often on different days in the same city. In [[Catholicism|Catholic]] regions ”Laternelaufen” is also called ”Sankt Martinsumzug” (‘Saint Martin’s Pageant’) focusing on the aspect of sharing. In Austria, the same tradition is called ”Laternenfest”.
During ”Laternelaufen” children often sing ”Martinslieder”/ ”Martinilieder” (‘Martin songs’) that glorify St. Martin’s act of sharing or songs about their lanterns.
During ”Laternelaufen” children often sing ”Martinslieder” ”Martinilieder” (‘Martin songs’) that glorify St. Martin’s act of sharing or songs about their lanterns.
== Origin ==
== Origin ==
It is not quite clear why the stories concerning St. Martin led to the custom of ”Laternelaufen”.<ref>cf. a discussion in the forum of the online dictionary LEO: [http://dict.leo.org/forum/viewGeneraldiscussion.php?idThread=615369&idForum=18&lp=ende&lang=en The symbolism behind Laternelaufen]</ref> Maybe just like [[Advent wreath]]s ”Laternelaufen” is a symbolic act of ‘bringing light into the world’. It is also possible that one tradition got conflated with another or that the lanterns are remains of a necessary custom due to the lack of daylight in [[autumn]] and [[winter]]. Festivals of light (a category ”Laternelaufen” could be classified into) can be found all over the world and in many cultures / traditions (e.g. [[Diwali]], [[Chanukka]], [[Saint Lucy’s Day]] and [[Loi Krathong]])
It is not why the stories concerning St. Martin led to the custom of ”Laternelaufen”.<ref>cf. a discussion in the forum of the online dictionary LEO: [http://dict.leo.org/forum/viewGeneraldiscussion.php?idThread=615369&idForum=18&lp=ende&lang=en The symbolism behind Laternelaufen]</ref> [[Advent wreath]]s ”Laternelaufen” act of ‘bringing light into the world’. It is also possible that one tradition got conflated with another or that the lanterns are of a custom the of daylight in [[autumn]] and [[winter]]. Festivals of light (a category ”Laternelaufen” could be classified) and (e.g., [[Chanukka]], [[Saint Lucy’s Day]] and [[Loi Krathong]])
== Organization ==
== Organization ==
Contemporary ”Laternelaufen” is usually organized (privately) by [[parents]] or (publicly) by [[kindergarten]]s and schools, [[parish]]es or even [[political party|political parties]].<ref>e.g. [[Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands|SPD]]: [http://www.spd-dornbreite.de/index.php?nr=2860&menu=1 Laternenumzug der SPD Dornbreite] {{in lang|de}}</ref> The ways often lead through [[forest]]s (if any available in the neighbourhood) since there the streets are not [[street light|continuously lit]] so that the lanterns are the only sources of light. The procession is accompanied by parents, group leaders etc., for official pageants the organizers often also hire somebody to play St. Martin, who is displayed as a [[beard]]ed man in a [[Middle Ages|medieval]] soldier’s [[uniform]] wearing a long red [[cape]] or [[cloak]], often riding on a horse in front of the children.
”Laternelaufen” is usually organized by parents [[kindergarten]]s and schools, [[parish]]es or even [[political party|political parties]].<ref>e.g. [[Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands|SPD]]: [http://www.spd-dornbreite.de/index.php?nr=2860&menu=1 Laternenumzug der SPD Dornbreite] {{in lang|de}}</ref> The often through (if any available in the neighbourhood) there the so that the lanterns are the only of light. The procession is accompanied by parents, group leaders . official pageants the organizers often hire somebody to play St. Martin, as a man in a [[Middle Ages|medieval]] soldier’s [[uniform]] wearing a long red cape or cloak, often riding on a horse in front of the children.
== Comparison to Halloween ==
== Comparison to Halloween ==
”Laternelaufen” and [[Halloween]] cannot be compared although their celebration dates are around the same days (31 October and 11 November). Their origin is different and ”Laternelaufen” does not contain any kind of masquerades, trick-or-treating or similar aspects that are commonly associated with Halloween.
”Laternelaufen” and [[Halloween]] cannot be compared although their celebration dates are (31 October and 11 November). Their origin is different and ”Laternelaufen” does not contain masquerades, trick-or-treating commonly associated with Halloween.
== External links ==
== External links ==
German tradition at St. Martin’s Day
Laternelaufen pronounced [laˈtɛʁnəˌlaʊ̯fn̩] (‘Walking with Lanterns’) is a German tradition held on or around St. Martin’s Day on 11 November. Children (usually in kindergarten and elementary school, ages 5 to 12 years) walk along the streets in the dusk or early evening, holding colourful, often self-made lanterns while singing traditional songs (Laternenumzug, ‘Lantern Pageant’).
Memorial to St. Martin
[edit]
Legend has it that St. Martin, a soldier, cut his cloak in two and gave a beggar half of it to protect the man from freezing to death. Afterwards St. Martin became a bishop and continued to help poor people. While this story is commonly known among German children and told in connection with this tradition, it does not explain the custom of promenading along the streets with lanterns. Several reasons why it is done this way can be found (s. Origin of the Tradition).
While Laternelaufen is a memorial to St. Martin of Tours and therefore usually takes place on 11 November, his feast day, in some regions of Germany that are more Protestant it may occur on 10 November because it is influenced by the celebration of Martin Luther‘s birthday (Martinisingen). In some areas there is no fixed day. Depending on the needs of the particular organizers, celebrations can often happen on different days in the same city. In Catholic regions Laternelaufen is also called Sankt Martinsumzug (‘Saint Martin’s Pageant’) focusing on the aspect of sharing. In Austria, the same tradition is called Laternenfest.
During Laternelaufen children often sing Martinslieder or Martinilieder (‘Martin songs’) that glorify St. Martin’s act of sharing or songs about their lanterns.
It is not obvious why the stories concerning St. Martin led to the custom of Laternelaufen.[1], like that of the Advent wreaths Laternelaufen may be the act of ‘bringing light into the world’. It is also possible that one tradition got conflated with another, or that the lanterns are remnants of a custom arising from the lessening of daylight in autumn and winter. Festivals of light (a category into which Laternelaufen could be classified) are celebrated in many cultures and traditions around the world (e.g., Chanukka, Saint Lucy’s Day, Diwali, and Loi Krathong).
A contemporary Laternelaufen is usually organized by parents, kindergartens and schools, parishes, or even political parties.[2] The way often leads through forests (if any are available in the neighbourhood), because there the presence of streetlights is reduced so that the lanterns are the only source of light. The procession is accompanied by parents, group leaders, and other adults. For official pageants, the organizers often hire somebody to play St. Martin, costumed as a bearded man in a medieval soldier’s uniform wearing a long red cape or cloak, often riding on a horse in front of the children on foot.
Comparison to Halloween
[edit]
Laternelaufen and Halloween cannot be compared although their celebration dates are close to each other (31 October and 11 November). Their origin is different; Halloween is a Celtic tradition dating to pre-Christian times emphasizing the thin wall separating earthly life and the otherworld. Laternelaufen does not contain masquerades, trick-or-treating, scary activities, or most other features commonly associated with Halloween.
- Popular songs sung by children while walking with lanterns (in German)
