What is the name of the oldest German folk festival. Holidays in Germany. National holidays in Germany. The largest events in Germany

GERMAN HOLIDAY CALENDAR 2017

In Germany, there are quite a large number of various holidays, however, a distinctive feature is that not all of them are celebrated nationwide. This is due to the historically established federalism in the state structure and the high degree of independence of each of the federal lands.

Almost all holidays have their own well-established traditions and, in many cases, when they are celebrated in a country or in a particular land, a day off is declared.

Many holidays are based on religious dates, some of the holidays are based on historical events.

The fact that the New Year in Germany is celebrated from December 31 to January 1, the Germans are grateful to Pope Gregor XIII and his calendar, which is called the Gregorian and counts from 1582. New Year's holiday in Germany is called Silvester (Sylvester). True, not every German is familiar with this saint, whose life and work were in no way connected with the New Year and the calendar, just the last day of the outgoing year, December 31 - the date of his death and the day of his commemoration.

“What are you doing on New Year's Eve?” - such a question can not be asked in Germany. Germans don't sit at home on New Year's Eve. On the eve of the meeting, acquaintances, colleagues and friends wish each other "a good glide into the new year." Parties, concerts, discos, restaurants are open until the morning and are waiting for guests. On this night it is difficult to feel lonely, because with the first stroke of the clock, people go out into the street, and champagne corks, rockets, firecrackers fly into the sky, fireworks begin in honor of the New Year. One of the most fantastic holidays in its scope takes place in Berlin: the length of the New Year's street party is up to 2 kilometers, and the multi-colored show in the night sky lasts more than an hour.

The main attribute of the holiday is spruce. For the ancient Germans, spruce was a sacred tree. They believed that the spirit of the forests, the protector of nature, lives in its needles.

By the New Year in Germany, houses are decorated with multi-colored garlands, wreaths of needles and figures of Santa Claus, and as soon as the clock starts to strike midnight, people of all ages climb chairs, tables, armchairs and, with the last blow, together, with joyful greetings, “jump” in the New Year. After that, the celebration moves to the street, where it takes on a gigantic scale: at this time, thousands of families leave their homes to congratulate each other, light up the sky with fireworks and, of course, drink champagne. The custom of celebrating the coming year with fireworks also came from antiquity. Shooting from guns and cannons, people scared away evil spirits.

Residents of some regions of the country shot in the predawn twilight of the first day of the New Year in the gardens so that the trees would bring a rich harvest that year. It was desirable not to hit the tree itself.

In Westphalia, the villagers gathered at the blacksmith near his anvil on New Year's Eve to spend the outgoing year under rhythmic blows.

In the north of Germany, there was a different tradition: on the first day of the new year, children with songs and music went around the houses, receiving sweets and small coins from the inhabitants.

When raising a glass of champagne, the Germans say: "Prosit Neujahr" or "Prost Neujahr". The word "Prost" comes from Latin and translates as "it can succeed."

And, of course, good luck in the new year is simply guaranteed if fish dishes are on your table on the first day of the new year. Carp is especially popular in Germany. There are many skillful recipes for its preparation. And a couple of large circles of his scales are advised to be carried in a wallet - this brings wealth.

Theophany (Epiphany) is a traditional Christian holiday celebrated by the Germans on January 6th. As a rule, it is of particular importance in the lands of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and Saxony-Anhalt. Catholics also know this day as "Three Kings Day" (Dreikonigstag). It is sometimes referred to as "Big New Year" by Protestants.

The celebration of "Epiphany" (translated as "apparitions") is based on a biblical story from the New Testament. This refers to the story of the journey of the three Magi Kings - Caspar (Caspar), Melchior (Melchior) and Balthasar (Balthasar) - from the Middle East behind the star of Bethlehem, indicated by an angelic choir. Finding the baby Jesus lying in the manger, the wise men bowed to him and presented rich gifts: gold, frankincense and fragrant resin - myrrh. In general, in the Ancient East, the Magi were called wise people who were prescribed knowledge of the hidden forces of nature, communication with the Gods and the possession of supernatural power. It was said that the three sorcerer kings could prevent the blows of fate and take away all evil from a person, his house and livestock.

The celebration of the Epiphany consists in attending a solemn mass in the church and a family dinner after midnight by the fireplace. The meal should be as rich and plentiful as possible. Dishes, as a rule, are the same as those prepared for the New Year and Christmas holidays. This evening, boys dressed in white robes with crowns on their heads and a long pole topped with a star go from house to house with songs and bless their masters. This is called the "Procession of the Three Kings". The face of one of them can be smeared with soot - he depicts the sorcerer Melchior.

According to custom, the owner writes over the door of the house the initial Latin letters of the names of the three Magi Kings: “C, M, B” (Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar), indicates the year and draws a cross. It means, "God bless this house." Such an inscription should protect the house and its inhabitants from misfortune.

It is believed that the day after the Day of the Three Kings has increased, and the night has receded. On this day, the Christmas tree is lit for the last time, as it completes the cycle of Christmas holidays. Epiphany is celebrated not only in Germany, but also in some Swiss cities (Zurich, Bern, Lausanne, Glarus, Zug and others).

On January 27, 1945, the prisoners of the Auschwitz concentration camp were released, where the Nazis killed more than one and a half million Jews and representatives of other national minorities.

On this day, mourning ceremonies are held throughout the country. On the territory of the former Buchenwald concentration camp, former prisoners and official representatives of the authorities lay wreaths at the memorial plaque, which constantly maintains the temperature of the human body - about 37 degrees.

A special meeting of the Bundestag is dedicated to the memory of the victims of the Holocaust. According to Bundestag President Wolfgang Thierse, the phenomenon of the Holocaust can never be fully comprehended. It still remains unclear why most Germans showed incredible human callousness during Nazism. "Those who had the courage to protest were in the minority," Tirze said.

The Spanish writer, former Minister of Culture of the country and a prisoner of Buchenwald, Jorge Semprun, said that "Germans' regret about their own history is the basis of a new national identity and contributes to the strengthening of Germany's role in the process of European unification."

Samba in Bremen The Bremer Karneval is Germany's largest musical samba carnival, with vibrant performances and fiery music from this energetic Brazilian dance. Samba dancers from all over Germany come to take part in the street carnival, and thousands of tourists come to see this bright holiday.

The Free Hanseatic City of Bremen is an ancient and beautiful city in Germany, where there are many historical monuments, museums, rich city life, but its highlight is the samba carnival, which traditionally takes place every year in February for two days.

Samba is a Brazilian dance that appeared in Europe at the beginning of the 20th century, but gained wide popularity only after the Second World War. Samba music has a characteristic rhythm created by drums and maracas. Today, this rhythmic incendiary Brazilian dance is included not only in the program of modern ballroom dancing, but also in the daily life of all dance lovers.

The history of the Bremen Carnival dates back more than a quarter of a century. It originated in 1985, when enthusiasts of the local dance school - the samba club - decided to organize a celebration of Brazilian music and dance in the city. Fans of incendiary samba held their own street festival, which in a few years won the love of the townspeople and was so loved by everyone that they decided to arrange it annually and already with the support of the Bremen authorities.

Within a few years, this Brazilian party quickly turned into a real carnival, and the sounds of samba never leave it. Every year the number of participants is constantly growing - these are dancers from newly emerging samba clubs, percussion and brass bands, and theater groups, and just those who wish - from Bremen, other regions of Germany and even from neighboring countries.

Preparation for the festival begins in advance - exactly on November 11 at 11:11 am. This is a kind of Opening of the starting action of the Bremen Carnival. On this day, carnival communities discuss the future program of the festival, the number of participants and performances, costumes, etc. Just before the carnival in the city, many shops sell carnival costumes, jewelry and makeup for everyone. Special "guilds" and "guards" of jesters rehearse songs, write jokes and come up with costumes.

The carnival itself starts on Friday. It begins with a children's costume procession in the city center, performances by young musicians and dancers. Then the adults take over. For them, from morning until late at night, samba sounds, and dance floors are open, and in the evening and at night, competitions and performances of samba groups are held in several open areas of the city.

The next day there is a big street parade with giant puppets, colorful costumes, platforms on which fantastic decorations are erected - the so-called "carnival of animals", then drumming competitions. The evening program consists of dance parties in clubs and outdoors, and at night there are incredible costume balls. All this action ends with incendiary dances to Brazilian music and parties in restaurants and bars. Often the fun spills out onto the streets and turns into spontaneous processions of mummers.

The Germans know how not only to have fun, but also to treat nicely. Traditionally, several types of beer, wine, as well as sausages, baked meat, and cabbage are served at the festival.

Every year the theme of the carnival changes, but the energetic rhythms of samba and the bright colors of the festival always remain.

In February, in the Catholic regions of Germany, a carnival takes place - Fastnacht or Fasching. Carnivals held in Munich and Cologne are known all over the world.

There are handwritten records of the celebration of the carnival in Munich as early as 1295. After a boring winter, when almost no work is possible, why not arrange a merry holiday for yourself before the harsh Lent begins, and then the hard summer worries.

Modern people also need a little break from worries. Therefore, Munich, the center of culture, science and politics, for a while turns into a place of entertainment and jokes.

Preparing for the carnival, like everything in Germany, begins ahead of time, back in November. On November 11 at 11:11 am, the first meetings of carnival activists are held throughout the country, and the beginning of the 5th season - carnival - is officially announced. On this day, for the first time, you can meet people in carnival costumes on the streets. Carnival week begins with a church service on Thursday morning (Weiberfastnacht) - until 12 noon - and ends with the same on Wednesday afternoon. The beginning of the carnival (Weiberfastnacht) is celebrated only by women. They dress up as witches, fairies, devils. Men, having gone into a restaurant that day, run the risk of leaving without clothes - this is how women who are amused in earnest can joke.

The main event of the holiday is considered Rosenmontag (in translation - furious magnificent Monday) - a carnival procession. The procession resembles a demonstration: traffic is blocked and dressed-up clowns, princesses, kings, barons, all kinds of orchestras, girls, dressed in short carnival dresses, walk and drive along the central streets of the city for several hours in a row in decorated cars. Everyone sings, shouts greetings, throws confetti and sweets into the crowd of spectators. The procession ends on one of the large squares of the city with greetings from the participants and a concert.

The next day, Tuesday, children dress up in carnival costumes, and in the morning they come to school dressed up. Immediately after the lessons they will go home (modern little carnival people go shopping), where they are already waiting with sweets and small souvenirs. On this day, donuts with Berliner marmalade are sold in shops and bakeries, among which you can meet “happy” with mustard or a coin, whoever is lucky.

The holiday ends on Ash Wednesday with a church service: "Repent and believe in the gospel." And Fastnacht begins - a strict fast, which will end in 40-45 days with Easter.

Holy Week (Karwoche) begins on Palm Sunday (Palmsonntag) and ends on Maundy Thursday (Grundonnerstag), Good Friday (Karfreitag) and Good Saturday (Karsamstag), thus completing the 40-day Great Lent (Passionszeit).

Good Friday (Karfreitag) is a sign of sadness and grief, it personifies the death of Jesus. This church holiday is brought to the rank of the state. Its name comes from the old German word "kara, chara" - "sorrow, sadness, mourning, lamentations." Catholic Good Friday is celebrated on the eve of Easter Sunday.

For Protestant Christians, the day of Jesus' death is the deliverance of people from sins. This is the highest peak of the church year, the most important holiday of the year.

In Catholic churches, the service does not take place, as well as the next day, on Holy Saturday (the day before Easter). Instead, at 3 pm - the hour of Christ's death - the faithful gather together to pray. There is a service dedicated to Jesus.

On the last 3 days of Holy Week, especially on Friday, it is not customary in Germany to visit and have fun. It is allowed to spend time with the family, be sure to visit the church. A traditional dish on Friday is warm cross buns (“hot cross buns”). Christians eat fish instead of meat.

Germans, like other Christians, celebrate Easter (Ostern) or the Resurrection of Christ on Sunday after the first spring full moon - not earlier than March 22, not later than April 25. In the modern world, the Germans celebrate Easter for two days: Easter Sunday and the next day - Easter Monday. Both days are public holidays.

Initially, the ancient Germans celebrated the spring equinox on this day and praised the goddess of spring and fertility, Ostara, from whose name the name of the holiday came. The Christian Church tolerated this pagan custom, as a result of which it combined this feast with the Resurrection of Christ.

The egg (Osterneier), which previously had the meaning of life and fertility, in Christianity has become a symbol of new life and the new covenant. In Germany, eggs began to be consecrated around the 4th century, and even then they were painted in different colors (mostly red).

Another symbol of German Easter is the Easter Bunny (Osterhase). It is also borrowed from ancient Germanic cults and, according to popular belief, lays festive eggs (it is believed that ordinary chickens cannot lay them). On the eve of the feast of the Resurrection of Christ, the hare hides Easter eggs from the children in the grass, in the garden, in the forest, which the children, to the delight of their parents, eagerly seek on the days of the holiday. This is a very interesting and funny German Easter custom, reminiscent of the game "12 notes".

However, only the hare was not always engaged in this important business (dyeing eggs and hiding them). Back in the 19th century, in some German lands, these features of the hare were completely unknown to anyone. Until the 16th century, animals of various kinds were engaged in Easter eggs. In some regions they were "hidden" by foxes and roosters, in others - by storks, cuckoos, cranes and capercaillie.

In the Middle Ages, the Easter Bunny was persecuted, as it was considered a symbol of lust (hares have a large offspring in spring). It was revered at one time only by the Protestant church. Now the Easter Bunny is a favorite of all children. It is very popular in Germany and other German-speaking countries. On the eve of Easter, it can be found everywhere: on curtains and towels, on doors and windows; from chocolate and familiar soft toys to wooden, ceramic and even wax ones. There are no countless fantasies about hares.

And another important element of Easter is a wreath that characterizes the awakening of nature, the rebirth of a new life. An Easter wreath in Germany is hung on the front doors or windows, or at the same time. Decorated with flowers, blossoming branches. On this day, it is customary to sanctify only blossoming branches in the church. They are decorated with sweets (especially chocolate), fruits, ribbons and presented to children. Consecrated branches are attached to the head of the bed, at crucifixes, and hearths of fireplaces. Dried branches are stored and used as amulets during bad weather, thunderstorms, and diseases.

Easter Monday (Ostermontag) in Germany is the day of visits. On this day, it is customary to bring gifts to relatives and friends.

Picking up an Easter gift is not difficult at all. The symbolism of the holiday goes on sale in a wide variety of options long before its onset. Although it is worth saying that things made and decorated with one's own hands are most valued.

On Easter they organize games in the family circle, an indispensable attribute of which is an egg.

At present, the holiday is becoming not so much a church holiday, but rather a nationwide one. Greetings on this day invariably continue to sound the same as in the old days: "Frohe Ostern!" (Happy Easter!) or "Ein frohes Osterfest!" (Happy Easter!).

Easter Monday in Germany is a national holiday and a day off.

Book Day takes place in Germany every year on May 10th. This date was not chosen by chance - it reminds millions of people around the world of the true face of fascism. It was on May 10, 1933 in Berlin and some other German cities that a barbaric act of burning books objectionable to the Nazi regime took place. This action was planned in the bowels of the German Propaganda Ministry as early as February 1933. Its authorship is attributed to the Germanist philologist, Dr. Goebbels, shortly before this, appointed minister of the department named above. The public burning of books was aimed, firstly, at intimidating the “average person”, who was accustomed to respecting the printed word, and secondly, at attracting young people to the side of the National Socialists. It gave young people the opportunity to feel the radicalism of the new government, as well as the fact that the new government has high hopes for it. It was students who were assigned the main role in the upcoming inquisition of books.

Public actions of book burning took place in many, mostly university, cities of the country: Bonn, Frankfurt am Main, Munich. Teachers and rectors of universities were required to attend the "bonfire festival".

Oscar Maria Graf, a famous German writer, did not find his name on the list of burned books. However, this did not please him at all. “All my life I have striven to write the truth!” he turned to the authorities. “Why don't you burn my books too? Did I write badly?

20,000 books were set on fire in Berlin alone. Basically, books by Jewish authors, as well as writings of a Marxist and pacifist nature. The works of Albert Einstein, Karl Marx, the writings of Heinrich and Thomas Mann, Stefan Zweig, Erich Kestner, Sigmund Freud and others.

Goebbels' action brought the expected effect. Revolutionary enthusiasm and radicalism, conflict of generations and ambitions of young scientists - everything was skillfully used to attract young people to the side of the National Socialists. German students in the early 1930s had the most exhilarating university career in German history. Now the youth had only to organize. The Nazi regime coped with this task very soon. The “Bonfire Festival” served as the starting point for the introduction of total censorship.

Now the events of the 1930s in Germany seem terrible and incredible to us. And yet you should never forget about them in order to prevent the repetition of the "bonfire" in the future. To do this, on the modern Bebelplatz square, where books were once burned, there is one of the most striking monuments in Germany - the "Versunkene Bibliothek" ("The Drowned Library"). Its author is the Israeli architect Micha Ullmann, whose parents left Germany in 1933.

In the center of the square, under a thick square of glass, is a white room with empty bookshelves. A magical glow spreading from under the glass attracts passers-by. The empty space underground conveys the idea of ​​loss. And next to the glass plate is a small explanatory sign: "In this square on May 10, 1933, Nazi students burned books."

Mother's Day in Germany is celebrated on the second Sunday in May.

The history of the German holiday can be traced back to the beginning of the 20th century. Mother's Day has been celebrated since 1923 at the initiative of the Union of German Florists, who wanted to honor the deeds of German mothers during the First World War. It has been celebrated as a national holiday since 1933. The idea of ​​the holiday came to Europe from the United States, where in 1914 Mother's Day was declared an official holiday. Its analogue can be found in the English chronicle of the 17th century.

The first Mother's Day in Germany fell on May 13, 1923. But the Nazis officially introduced it only in 1933 in order to promote the Third Reich. On this day, German mothers who fulfilled their duty to the fatherland, or rather presented the country with new Aryans for the Fuhrer, were given honorary crosses (Ehrenkreuz der Deutschen Mutter). With the fall of the Third Reich and the division of Germany into East and West, the attitude towards the holiday changed. In the GDR, it was customary to remember women exclusively on March 8, and ignore Mother's Day as a holiday of enemy ideology. And in the west of the country, it was more popular, and from 1949 to the present, Mother's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of May.

In Germany, the “holiday of mothers” is one of the most touching. On this holiday, it is customary for the whole family to gather at home. On this day, mothers are given flowers, small souvenirs, pleasant things, unexpected surprises and hot kisses. In addition to flowers, it is customary to give handmade gifts - crafts, drawings. Children in schools and kindergartens prepare them in advance and even compose poems. Older children can please their mothers with a more expensive gift, especially since on the eve of the holiday, many stores offer all kinds of promotions and special offers.

Another gift to mothers in Germany is the tradition of freeing them from any work on this day. Although the main gift is attention. Adult children visit their parents' house and thereby tell them: "We have not forgotten you and we will be grateful to you for everything."

The Dixieland Festival in Dresden is an international jazz and blues music festival, the oldest jazz festival in Europe and the second largest Dixieland festival in the world. It has been held annually since 1971, in mid-May and lasts a week.

Dresden is an old German city with a rich history and architectural heritage. But there are other attractions in the capital of Saxony that are not related to the wonders of architecture and art, namely, one of the most popular jazz festivals in Germany, Dixieland, which attracts professional performers and connoisseurs of this musical direction from all over the world.

More than 500 thousand fans of hot rhythms and more than 350 eminent musicians from more than 10 countries of the world gather for the festival every year. Over the years, such jazz stars as The Jackson Singers, Blue Wonder Jazzband, Cynthia Sayer & Hot Jazz Group, Mart Rodger's Manchester Jazz, Blue Wonder Jazzband, Pascal von Wroblewski, Steve Clayton, Dixieland Messengers and other bands have demonstrated their skills here and performers.

During the festival days, more than 60 concerts take place at two dozen stage venues in the city, as well as many impromptu performances at various venues - in concert halls and on the streets, in cafes and bars, in parks and squares, on ships and even in the zoo.

Traditionally, this colorful event starts on the central square of Dresden with a performance by young jazz players from kindergartens and primary school students in Dresden. Then adult performers demonstrate their skills. All this is accompanied by the applause of thousands of enthusiastic spectators.

Every year, Dixieland presents fans with an exquisite musical program. In addition to performances by leading jazzmen, seminars, thematic musical exhibitions and sales will be held within the framework of the festival. The rich program of the festival also includes children's and family concerts, fireworks and mini-parades. The whole city sings and dances to incendiary music. Traditionally, some of the performances are free to the public.

The final chord of Dixieland is the general finale and a large parade of ensembles-participants, which have closed the festival for several years and are especially popular items in the jazz festival program.

The Dresden Dixieland Festival is a fun springtime celebration that welcomes all citizens and guests of the Saxon capital, and where musicians and listeners miraculously unite through the spellbinding rhythms of jazz and blues. And every year more and more fans of this musical genre come to the festival, both young people and older people.

The holiday is designed to encourage good fathers who are actively involved in the lives of their children, as well as to popularize the role of men in the educational process and social adaptation of the child.

It began to be celebrated in the 19th century, in Berlin. Initially, it was a ceremony of initiation of young men into men. Unlike "Mother's Day", which is held every second Sunday in May, this holiday is given a working day of the week.

Legislatively, Father's Day was introduced in the country in 1936.

On Father's Day for dinner, the male population of Germany gathers in large companies and goes to rest in nature. Hiking and cycling (excursions) are the most popular, you can also sit in an open-air bar with a glass of beer. However, as equality between men and women strengthens, the custom is gradually being transformed into family outdoor recreation.

The Jazz Rally festival in Düsseldorf is 80 concerts on 30 stages, 500 bands and performers, which for three days turn the tranquil Rhenish metropolis into a city of music. The festival has been held since 1993: each time on different days at the end of May - June.

Jazz Rally stands out from other music festivals that take place in European cities every summer due to its scale. The organizer of the festival, Destination Duesseldorf, claims that up to 250,000 spectators have visited the music festival in recent years. For Düsseldorf, whose entire population does not exceed 600 thousand people, these are very serious figures.

Of course, not a single concert venue is able to accommodate such a number of lovers of good music, so the performances of creative teams are spread over 30 stages located in different parts of the city. For example, four sites operate at the Düsseldorf airport, four at the river port, and the rest are located within the Altstadt, the historic center of the city.

For the most part, you can easily walk from one stage to another. In addition, every guest who has bought a universal pass for all concerts (the so-called "jazz button") can move around the city free of charge for three days by any type of public transport, except for a taxi. By the way, the cost of the "jazz button" is quite small - within 25-30 euros.

The great feast of the Ascension of Christ (Christi Himmelfahrt) always falls on Thursday, the 40th day after Easter, 9 days before the Day of the Holy Spirit. It symbolizes the ascension of Christ to heaven to God the Father and completes the salvation of Christ after death and his rebirth.

The Feast of the Ascension, together with the Trinity, completes the Easter circle (Easter time).

Many churches, including in Germany, use this day to hold worship outside the walls of the Lord's house, because God belongs to the world. At the end of the open-air service, doves (the German symbol for this holiday) are released into the sky and watched until they disappear. This is the personification of the ascension of Jesus into the world to his Father.

On Ascension morning, water and plants acquire healing power, so early in the morning, the tradition is still alive in German villages, collecting herbs. Thyme (Thumian) and licorice (Sussholz) are highly respected. Thus, on this day, stocks of herbal tea are usually made for the whole year (herbal tea among the Germans is the most popular drink after ground coffee. It helps against many diseases, first of all, from eye diseases and colds).

Also in the villages of Germany, detours of the fields are made with a prayer for fertility.

A bad omen in Ascension is rain, especially a thunderstorm.

3 June Hamburg International Short Film Festival

The Short Film Festival takes place in Hamburg every year at the end of May - beginning of June. This tradition began in 1985, when the first festival took place, then bearing the laconic name “NoBudget”, which means “Without a budget” in Russian. Today, the Hamburg Short Film Festival is one of the most significant world events in the film industry.

The competition program of the festival includes several nominations. The International Films section evaluates cinematic works created by creative teams from around the world. Some of them are filmed with quite a lot of equipment, so their budgets can not be called modest. Others, on the contrary, cost their authors inexpensively - if we talk about finances - but took a huge amount of time.

Another thing is the section "Low-budget films". Only those works, the cost of which is relatively low, are presented here. In the section "German Films" you can see new short films from Germany, most of which were created by film school students and amateurs. And since 1998, films shot in Hamburg have been shown in a separate section called “Hamburg Films”. The shortest films are the participants of the section "Keep within three minutes".

In 1998, the festival had a "little brother" - the festival of children's short films "Mo & Friese", which is also held in Hamburg in June. The audience of these films is children from four to 14 years old, but viewers of all ages usually visit the screenings. In addition, as part of the children's festival, workshops are organized where children learn how to make their own films.

The Day of the Holy Spirit is celebrated on the 50th day of Easter in memory of the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles and ends the Easter time. Holy Spirit Day in Germany is celebrated for two days. This is a state holiday fixed at the federal level.

On this day, when all the disciples of Jesus were in the same house, suddenly there was a loud rustle. The flames of the kindled fire shone above their heads, and the truth of the doctrine of the Holy Trinity was revealed to the apostles. After this event, the apostles began to speak in different languages. This divided them and, at the same time, united them, because now they were able to preach the Christian doctrine throughout the world, among all peoples. Traditionally, this event is considered the beginning of the Christian Church.

Since ancient times in Germany, this day has been accompanied by weaving wreaths, divination, swinging and boating. Before this day, put things in order in the house and garden. Wildflowers are picked early in the morning, as well as blossoming green branches of trees, birch is valued. They decorate the yard and rooms. Bouquets and wreaths are hung over doors, windows, in the corners of the house, placed in vases, on the table and window sills. Even fences are decorated in the yard.

During the celebration, morning concerts, excursions, walks are usually organized. They hold traditional youth meetings, song and dance festivals, sports competitions. Various jokes are arranged, for example, benches in the park can change their place of residence (but only for a while, by Tuesday morning they will return to their place).

In the villages, the fields are again circumambulated with prayers for fertility. All the inhabitants of the village take part in this solemn procession. Reading the Gospel.

There are the following signs in Germany: "If it rains on the Day of the Holy Spirit, it will rain for seven Sundays in a row" or "Raw Day of the Holy Spirit - to a fat (well-fed) Christmas."

The traditional greeting is "Joyful day of the Holy Spirit" ("Ein frohes Pfingstefest").

The Bach Festival in Leipzig (Bachfest Leipzig) is an international music festival and the most prestigious festival in Germany dedicated to the work of the great German composer Johann Sebastian Bach. It takes place annually in Leipzig in mid-June and lasts about 10 days.

It should be said that several festivals dedicated to Bach are held in Germany every year, but Leipzig is the most famous. It has been held with great success for many years and is traditionally in high demand among fans of this great composer. Many famous musicians and music lovers of "eternal music" from all over the world come here.

Leipzig, a city known for its cultural traditions, is associated not only with the name of Bach - Mendelssohn, Schumann, Schiller lived here at different times. But it is with Leipzig that the most fruitful era in the life and work of Bach is connected.

Bachfest Leipzig is a festival with a long tradition. It first took place in 1904 and was initiated by members of the Neue Bachgesellschaft, a society of admirers of the composer's work. From 1908, the Leipzig city hall took over the organization of the event. Although the festival was not held every year, but quite regularly. Already in the 1920s, the slogan "Leipzig - the city of music" appeared. However, it was not until the mid-1990s that it was officially decided to hold Bachfest Leipzig annually. The festival was organized by the Leipzig Bach Archive and the city hall. The festival was held on a special scale in 2000, the year of the 250th anniversary of Bach's death. In subsequent years, it gained more and more popularity, the number of guests increased, and the program of the festival itself became more diverse and eventful.

Each year the festival has a specific theme. Since the music of the great composer does not need a "festival" occasion for performance, therefore the organizers either go in search of the origins of Bach's music, or turn to its context. For example, the theme of the 2004 festival was “Bach and Romanticism”, when in concerts Bach's compositions coexisted with the music of Mendelssohn, Schumann, Brahms. During the days of the festival, Bach's works - and these are masses, works for choir and orchestra, organ and symphonic works - are performed by soloists, musical ensembles and world-class groups in churches and in the historic concert halls of Leipzig, where the great composer once lived and worked. Traditionally, the grand opening of the festival takes place in the famous Church of St. Thomas.

In total, about 100 concerts and various performances take place during the festival. The main place in the program is occupied by musical works of the 19th century, but the public is offered not only organ and church music, but also chamber concerts and jazz interpretations. The participants of the festival also present their programs dedicated to the work of Bach.

It is worth saying that dozens of Bach festivals are held in Germany every year, but none of them can be compared in terms of level and popularity with Leipzig. The extensive program, which includes many activities, is aimed at almost any age and taste, and some of the activities are free. The Bach Festival is a mixture of secular and spiritual concerts.

The musical program of the festival is organically complemented by various cultural events related to the personality of Bach. For example, concert tours to the suburbs of Leipzig, where the composer often visited, competitions for young performers, film screenings, an exhibition of Bach's manuscripts and documents, lectures and reports, as well as an excellent culinary program. Another highlight of the festival, which has become traditional in recent years (since 2003), is the awarding of the Bach Medal to outstanding musicians. The medal is made of Meissen porcelain.

The Feast of Corpus Christi is celebrated annually on the second Thursday after the Day of the Holy Spirit.

It is considered a public holiday in Germany, but it is declared a non-working day only in six federal states (Baden-Wurtenberg, Bavaria, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saar), in Saxony the Bautzen and Westlausitz districts rest and in the federal state of Thuringia - predominantly Catholic communities.

This is a relatively new Catholic holiday, officially established in memory of the establishment by Jesus Christ of the sacrament of communion (Eucharist). The Catholic Church regards the Eucharist as a sacred gift left by Christ to its church. The custom first arose in 1247 in the Diocese of Liege (Belgium). In 1264, Pope Urban IV made this holiday a church holiday, granting an indulgence to all who took part in the festive mass. The service of Corpus Christi was composed by Thomas Aquinas, and the text of this service is considered one of the most beautiful in the Roman Breviary.

This holiday gained special love thanks to the richly decorated processions that pass through the streets of cities on this day, which can be seen in today's Germany.

John the Baptist was the forerunner, the "voice" sent to proclaim the incarnate Word. Therefore, celebrating his birth means actually celebrating Christ, the fulfillment of the promises of all the prophets, of which the Baptist was the greatest, called to “prepare the way” before the Messiah (cf. Mt 11:9-10).

All the gospels begin the account of Jesus' public life with the story of how John baptized him in the waters of the Jordan. People fled from Jerusalem and from all parts of Judea to listen to John the Baptist and receive baptism from him in the river, confessing their sins (cf. Mk 1:5). The glory of the prophet baptist was so great that many asked themselves if he was not the expected Messiah. But he categorically denied this: "I am not the Christ" (Jn 1:20). He remains the first "witness" of Jesus, having received an indication about Him from Heaven: "Upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining on Him, this is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit" (Jn 1:33). This is exactly what happened when Jesus, having received baptism, came out of the water: John saw the Spirit descend on Him in the form of a dove. It was then that he “knew” the full reality of Jesus of Nazareth and began to “reveal Him to Israel” (Jn 1:31), pointing to Him as the Son of God and redeemer of man: “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (Jn 1:31). 1.29).

As a true prophet, John bears witness to the truth without compromise. He denounces violations of the commandments of God, even when the powerful of this world were guilty of this. Thus, accusing Herod and Herodias of adultery, he paid for it with his life, crowning his service to Christ, the embodiment of Truth, with martyrdom.

Feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist has been known at least since the 4th century: the sermons of the Fathers of the Church of St. John Chrysostom, St. Ambrose and St. Augustine, which were dedicated to this holiday or in which it is mentioned. In particular, St. Augustine in his sermon says the following: “Today we celebrate the day of the Nativity of St. John. This is an honor that no saint is given. Throughout the Christian world, only the days of the Nativity of Christ and the Nativity of St. John."

In the church liturgical calendar, not only the feast of his birth is dedicated to John the Baptist. On August 29, the Church commemorates the beheading of his head, he is one of the central figures of the Advent services ... His heroic character, his outstanding virtues, and especially his completely exceptional role in Sacred History are reflected in the liturgical texts. Here is how St. John the Baptist is one of the most beautiful texts of the Eastern Liturgy: “What should we call you? a prophet? an angel? an apostle? Or a martyr? An angel, for you lived like the incorporeal. An apostle, for you have instructed all nations. A martyr, for they cut off your head for Christ."

Saint John's Day - Gehane. On this day, the Germans burned bonfires. The place for the fire, according to tradition, was chosen on a hill. It was common to set fire to a wheel mounted on poles. Fire and smoke had special healing properties. Boys and girls jumped over the fire in pairs. Girls wondered about marriage on this day with the help of wreaths of wild flowers - Gehanekranz. Such a wreath was hung on the doors of the house, between the frames of windows facing the street.

According to legend, on June 24, herbs and flowers collected that night had special healing and miraculous powers. Special healing properties were attributed to June 24 and water.

Every year in June, large-scale festivities begin at the Frankfurt am Main Opera Square, which last a little over a week. The festival "Opernplatzfest" (Opernplatzfest) is one of the main social events of this German city. Sometimes it is called an open-air ball.

The building of the Old Opera or the Opera House was built in 1872-1880 in the style of the Italian Renaissance. On May 23, 1944, British aircraft destroyed the building, turning it into ruins. However, after the war, on the initiative of the townspeople, the Old Opera House was restored, and the square in front of it became a favorite place for the people of Frankfurt to relax.

The first festival was held here in 1978 and has been held every year since then. Traditionally, in June, numerous kiosks open on the square, offering delicacies from all over the world to residents and guests of the city. Snow-white pavilions are set up in front of the Old Opera, where you can enjoy champagne.

Around the fountain on the square there are numbers of the festive cultural program. As a rule, it includes performances by popular artists. Another spectacle can be enjoyed outside the official stage: during the days of the festival, the entire color of Frankfurt gathers at the Opera Square - famous politicians, businessmen, cultural figures. They, as a rule, also become the object of attention of curious townspeople and tourists.

In August, Dresden celebrates its day - one of the largest industrial centers in Germany. True, the date of the city celebration does not coincide with the historical birthday of the city, which is celebrated on March 31. Dietrich von Meissen's charter, in which Dresden was first mentioned, dates back to this date in 1206. Thus, the city is just over 800 years old.

City Day is a young holiday, it has been on the calendar since 1998. Nevertheless, it is celebrated in Dresden with wide mass festivities. For three days and nights, the streets and squares turn into concert and theater venues: in different parts of the city you can enjoy either music, or dancing, or performances based on ancient legends. During the daytime, you can visit a variety of sports.

The center of the holiday, as a rule, becomes the Theater Square, where grandiose concerts of popular and rock music are held. Integral elements of the holiday are the festive procession "Der Furstenzug zu Dresden", the steamboat festival "Sachsiche Dampfschifffahrt" and fireworks.

The program of the holiday remains equally rich every year, although it is constantly changing.

The Museum Embankment Festival is the culmination of the cultural life of Frankfurt am Main (Germany) - it is one of the largest and most significant cultural holidays and festivals in Europe. The holiday takes place annually on the last weekend of August for three days.

The Museum Embankment is an embankment on the south bank of the Main River in Frankfurt in the area between the Eiserner-Steg and Friedensbrücke bridges. It got its name because of the large number of museums that are located on it, and is the cultural center of the city, as many cultural and city events take place here. In general, the people of Frankfurt love to celebrate and have fun, and one of their favorite holidays is the Museum Embankment Festival, which also attracts more than 3 million tourists to the city every year.

Traditionally, the Festival presents guests with an extensive cultural program that harmoniously combines music, art, folklore and gastronomy. These days, numerous museums located on the Main embankment offer guests special exhibitions and displays of collections, lectures and readings, art projects and colorful presentations, various entertainment events.

On the eight-kilometer stretch of the embankment along both banks of the Main, many grandiose events take place during the festival days - these are theatrical performances and dramatizations, musical performances, concerts of creative groups, performances of music groups and dance groups, and much more. Here you can also enjoy live music, demonstrations of handicrafts, a culinary fair ... And all this mass celebration framed by local dishes and culinary delights from around the world.

As part of the holiday, you can also visit choral performances, organ concerts in the churches of Frankfurt, the music festival "Music in the Monastery", small art, variety shows and other musical events of a wide profile.

An indispensable component of the Festival on the Museum Embankment is the sailing regatta (Drachenbootrennen), which is especially popular with spectators and attracts everyone's attention. At the end of the holiday - a grand fireworks display on the Main.

The Long Night of Museums festival in Berlin is an annual project that brings together more than 100 different cultural institutions in the German capital. It takes place twice a year - in January and August. But it is in the summer that this event is the most colorful and large-scale.

As part of the festival, museums, galleries, exhibition halls, archives, collections, memorials, historical monuments and cultural centers of the city open their doors to everyone on the night from Saturday to Sunday - from 6 pm to 2 am. Guests and residents of Berlin this night can plunge into the multi-layered culture of this beautiful German city by visiting all kinds of cultural events during the festival.

Berlin is 170 museums and collections, more than 200 private galleries and almost 300 exhibitions a day, and the total area of ​​​​all participants in the “museum night” is more than 100 museums, exhibition centers, galleries, archives, palaces and castles, which is almost 400 square meters. . kilometers. The treasures presented in the Berlin museums are luxurious and priceless, all museums and collections are of world importance.

The Long Night of Museums is a well-known and popular project in many European countries. But it was invented and first held here, in Berlin, in 1997, in order to increase the attractiveness of the city for tourists. One of the fundamental goals is to acquaint people, attract and interest the cultural heritage of museums. But at the same time, the festival is always informal.

The "Long Night of Museums" is not just a display of historical, archaeological or pictorial collections, it is a kind of entertainment and cultural event. In addition to the usual tours of the current expositions, the exhibition grounds of the city prepare a special night program for the audience: concerts, lectures, musical performances, theatrical performances, film demonstrations, readings, reports, art workshops are open. In addition, even culinary events are held, and many restaurants offer visitors a special menu on this night.

For the convenience of tourists, buses run along specially designed routes, allowing visitors to move freely from one museum to another. The cost of a single ticket to all museums of the project is about 15 Euro and includes this transport service.

The Berlin Long Night of Museums Festival is one of the most important and popular summer events in the cultural world of the German capital.

Oktoberfest is the world's largest beer festival. It takes place in the capital of Bavaria - Munich, starts in the second half of September and lasts 16 days.

It all started with the marriage of the Bavarian heir to the throne, Crown Prince Ludwig I and Princess Therese of Saxony. On October 12, 1810, the day their wedding took place, all the inhabitants of the city were invited to the festive festivities. They were collected on a large meadow, which at that time was outside the city limits. In honor of the princess, it is called Therese Meadow (Theresienwiese). For the people of Munich that day there were festivities with free beer and horse races. Everything went so lively and cheerfully that Ludwig gave the order to celebrate Oktoberfest every year. Every year the traditions of past years were preserved, and new ones were added to them.

According to tradition, on the opening day, at exactly 12 o'clock, the mayor of the city uncorks a barrel of beer. This symbolic action kicks off the beer marathon. Then a festive procession begins to move along the central streets of the city. At its head - "Munchner Kindi" - a symbol of the city - a young girl with a large bell in her hand, riding a decorated horse. She is dressed in a yellow and black monastic robe.

Carriages of the mayor of Munich and the administration of Bavaria are moving next to her. They are followed by a line of decorated carriages and carts with beer from all parts of Germany, especially from Bavaria. In addition to them, a column of shooters, artists and folklore performers, brass bands, detachments in historical uniforms, as well as representatives of all German states take part in the procession. In the hands of the procession participants are musical instruments from different regions of the country. Traditional genre scenes are played along the way, people carry decorated branches and garlands.

Another Oktoberfest tradition is the opening of giant beer tents, popularly referred to as "tents". There are exactly 14 of them every year. The first such "tents" appeared in 1896. The largest of them, owned by the Munich beer "Hofbrauhaus", fits 11,000 people.

Beer can be bought not only in tents: during the beer festival, the whole city is immersed in the holiday, numerous beer outlets open in the fresh air - biergartens (beer gardens).

Beer is served by waitresses dressed in old German costumes. Beer at Oktoberfest is drunk in liter mugs called “mass”. The masses first appeared in 1892. Interestingly, during the holiday, visitors take with them, as a memento of the festival, more than 70,000 of these mugs!

Despite the fact that beer is a drink exclusively for adults, children are also not forgotten during the holidays. Carousels are specially built for future potential participants of the festivals, ice cream and other sweets are sold. Children ride on the children's railway, ride in horse-drawn carts, and special performances are arranged for them. Luminous horns, hearts, hats with flashing lights are sold on every corner.

All 16 days of drinking beer are accompanied by a rich show program. Costumed parades, processions of shooters, horse races, concerts follow each other. Near the beer halls, you can often see dancers in traditional Bavarian costumes with leather pants, tap dancing "schuplattl" with heavy alpine boots. Also, the city's breweries and beer museums are waiting for you with their excursions.

More than 7 million tourists from all over the world visit Munich during the festival. The holiday itself is consecrated live by TV channels of various countries of the world. For all this, the Oktoberfest beer festival was listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's largest holiday.

The most common name for the end of the harvest holiday among the Germans is "Erntedankfest" - a Thanksgiving holiday. The End of Harvest Festival is celebrated in the Catholic Church in Germany on the first Sunday in October.

This holiday is rooted in Roman customs. On this day, people rejoice at a good harvest and thank God for his gifts of nature (vegetables, fruits, cereals, berries) and for taking care of people. In return for this, believers return to him part of his gift.

The harvest festival was celebrated in pre-Christian times. It has been celebrated in the Catholic Church since the 3rd century. In Prussia, it was first celebrated in 1773 on the first Sunday after St. Michael's Day (September 29), after which it became a regular event. The date of the first Sunday in October was approved in Germany by the Catholic Church in 1972, and each parish of the Evangelical Church determines its own holiday date: the first Sunday in October or the first Sunday after Michael's day.

The ancient peasants believed that the harvest was guarded by the spirit that gave it growth or death. The spirit will give a good harvest if he is pleased and rejoices, and will destroy the harvest if the peasant did not please him or offended him. In this regard, this holiday was celebrated earlier as a victory over the spirits.

Today is the day of completion of field work and thanksgiving to God for his gifts. On this day, a special service is held in the church. At the same time, the church is decorated with the best fruits of the new harvest, wreaths of wheat. These harvesting and reaping wreaths are made in advance from the ears of the last sheaf. Vegetables, fruits, cereals are consecrated and laid out in front of the altar.

The celebration begins with the digging of Kirmes, a straw effigy with a bottle of schnapps, which is buried in the ground 2 weeks before this day. Then the scarecrow is solemnly carried through the whole village to a tree decorated with ribbons, garlands and fruits, and fixed on top. After a magnificent service and dinner, dancing around Kirmes begins.

Dancing couples pass each other a bouquet of flowers, and the couple who, at the moment of the signal-shot, will have a bouquet, feast on a pretzel as a sign of victory. On the next day of the holiday, it is customary to visit the graves of relatives. And on the third day, everyone is invited to the "funeral of Kirmes."

A comic funeral procession of mummers with torches goes to a wasteland, where they bury a stuffed animal, along with an inseparable bottle of schnapps, glass fragments, a rooster's head, ham bones and pieces of a pie. All this symbolizes the gratitude of the people for the harvest year and it is believed that the more joyful the Kirmes holiday is, the better the next harvest will be, and the destruction of the effigy is getting rid of bad habits and all troubles.

The night before All Saints' Day from October 31 to November 1 is the most mysterious night of the year - Halloween. The holiday, which originated in Ireland, then became traditional in America, after the Second World War returned to Europe, including Germany.

Halloween is not a public holiday in Germany, but every year the number of people dressed as witches and ghosts grows. As the holiday's popularity grows, so does its criticism, as Halloween competes with such church and national holidays as Reformation Day (celebrated on the same day) and Saint Martin's Day (celebrated on November 10 and 11).

Preparations for Halloween begin in September. In stores, you can buy pumpkins of all possible varieties, sizes and colors, and not only real, but also clay, plastic, in the form of candles, garlands, etc. A huge number of witches and ghosts can be seen both on the counters and on the balconies, windows, in the garden, in flower pots and in wreaths hung on the front doors. Many children, together with their parents, make all these decorations with their own hands, including the traditional hollow pumpkin with carved eyes, nose and mouth and a candle inserted inside. And since the thrifty Germans do not waste anything, a variety of dishes are prepared from the pulp of the pumpkin - from soups to sweets.

To date, Halloween in Germany has acquired the status of a costume holiday. Across the country, children dress up as witches, vampires, or other creepy characters. In Germany, children do not go to neighbors and ask for sweets, as is done in many countries. Holidays with dressing up in schools and kindergartens are arranged for them. But all this is during the day.

In the evening, not only discos and clubs, but also cafes and restaurants, where the scenery is made as creepy and scary as possible, open their doors to visitors. Adults, with no less pleasure than children, dress up as devils, ghosts, skeletons, witches and demons. The worse the costume looks, the more likely it is to win the main prize of the evening.

The most grandiose performance in Germany, and perhaps in all of Europe, takes place at night on Halloween at Frankenstein Castle. Up to 20,000 visitors flock to the ruins of Frankenstein every year to be properly frightened and horrified, as Halloween attracts a huge number of ghosts and ghosts that happily jump around the corner in front of you under the cover of night. There you can not only have fun and take part in the play, but, like at any other holiday in Germany, relax in the bar.

November 1 is the day of the annual commemoration of all the saints, martyrs and the departed. The tradition dates back to the 4th century. Then on this day they remembered all the Christian martyrs who were killed for their faith and canonized as Saints. In 609, Pope Boniface IV consecrated the former pagan temple Pantheon in honor of the Virgin and all the martyrs. On November 1, 731, Pope Gregory III consecrated the chapel of St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome in honor of all saints.

On this day, festive services are held in the Catholic Church in memory of all the dead. The color of the liturgy is white. On this day, it is customary to decorate the graves of deceased relatives; Catholics light the “light of the soul”, which does not fade on the next Feast of All Souls. This is a symbol of the Eternal Light that shines on all the dead.

This holiday is one of the quiet holidays. Loud music is prohibited on this day and discos are not held. Any congratulations on this holiday are inappropriate.

In the states of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland and North Rhine-Westphalia, this holiday is a public holiday.

German folk signs:

Schnee am Allerheiligentag selten lange liegen mag. (Snow doesn't last long on All Saints' Day.)

Zum Allerheiligen Sonnenschein tritt der Nachsommer ein. (If the sun shines on All Saints Day, Indian summer will come.)

Allerheiligenreif macht zur Wihnacht alles steif. (If there is frost on All Saints Day, then on Christmas everything will freeze.)

November 9 is a special date in the history of Germany in the 20th century: in 1918, Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated the throne, after 5 years the famous "beer putsch" in Munich, led by Adolf Hitler, was suppressed, after another 15 years, the National Socialists organized Jewish pogroms, and in 1989 the Berlin Wall fell.

In Germany, Saint Martin's Day is a harvest festival. He is especially loved by children. After all, it is on this day that Laternenumzug takes place (in free translation - “Procession with Lanterns”). It all starts a few days before, with preparations for the event - children in kindergartens and elementary grades of the school make paper lanterns with their own hands, where candles are inserted.

On the evening of the holiday, children and their parents gather at a designated place (usually near a church) and set off in a column to some predetermined final point of the hike. Usually the distance is short: 30-40 minutes of travel, but the whole point is how it happens. The procession looks impressive - adults carry torches, children carry paper lanterns with lighted candles. Usually, up to several hundred people participate in such trips, so a kind of luminous snake of hundreds of lanterns and torches stretches around the city.

According to legend, this is how the fellow villagers of Saint Martin used to look for him with lanterns and torches in order to pay tribute to him for his kindness.

The Day of National Sorrow is a national day of remembrance in Germany. It is celebrated in mid-November and currently serves as a reminder of the need for reconciliation, understanding and peace. The history of this day is not simple and ambiguous.

This day was established by the German People's Society for the Care of War Graves in 1919 in memory of almost 2 million dead and missing during the First World War. "Unprescribed" grief was the motive of this day, a sign of solidarity of those who lost no one and who had no one to mourn, with the relatives of the dead and missing.

In 1922, the first official solemn meeting took place in the Berlin Reichstag. Paul Loebe, then President of the Reichstag, delivers a speech with an international response in which he contrasts the warring world around him with reflections on reconciliation and understanding. Since 1926, the Day of National Sorrow was regularly celebrated on the fifth Sunday after Easter, however, it was not a public holiday.

After the transfer of power into the hands of the National Socialists in 1933, this day was legally declared a state holiday. The organizers of the new public holiday from 1933 to 1945 were the Wehrmacht and the National Socialist German Workers' Party. The nature of the Day of National Sorrow has also undergone strong changes. Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebels issued directives on the content and conduct of the holiday.

Now mourning was no longer his basis. From now on, the dead soldiers of the First World War were glorified as "Heroes" with Nazi pomp. Flags in the country were not lowered, but raised completely. The Nazis renamed the Day of National Sorrow into "Day of Remembrance of Heroes."

In 1948, the German People's Society for the Care of War Graves again adopted the tradition of celebrating the Day of National Sorrow in the form that it had been before 1933. The purpose of the holiday, as before, was mourning and mourning for the dead, but now of two world wars, a reminder of the victims of tyranny and despotism, regardless of nationality.

The first central mourning meeting dedicated to the Day of National Sorrow took place in 1950 in Bonn. Since 1952, this day in Germany has been considered a national day of mourning.

After the Bundestag moved from Bonn to Berlin, the central mourning meeting takes place in the plenary hall of the Bundestag in one of the Reichstag buildings in Berlin. An obligatory part of the rally is the speech of the Chancellor, the heads of government offices and the diplomatic corps, as well as musical accompaniment: the performance of the national anthem and the song "Good Comrade". Similarly, rallies are held in all federal states and most cities in Germany.

Day of Repentance and Prayer in Germany is a ritual holiday of the Protestant Church, rooted in turbulent times of disaster and war. On this day, we are not talking about repentance for the deed in the sense of receiving punishment for it, but about changing attitudes, returning to God.

Joint repentance and prayers were known in antiquity. In Rome, for example, such days of universal repentance and prayer were supposed to avert the danger of disasters and wars.

In the Middle Ages, there were two types of days of repentance: some were prescribed by the authorities and celebrated as needed. Others, about three fast days at the beginning of each quarter of the year, stemmed from church regulations.

In 1532, as a reaction to the Turkish War, the first Protestant Day of Repentance and Prayer took place. From the 16th to the 17th centuries, different dates for the "Day of Repentance and Prayer" existed for different areas of Germany. In 1878, 47 Days of Repentance could be counted in 28 German states, celebrated on 24 different days. In 1983, in Prussia, at the initiative of the relevant state authorities, such diversity was eliminated and the holiday was appointed on the Wednesday before the last Sunday of the church year, as it is still celebrated today.

The essence of the day of repentance and prayer in those days was also often interpreted in different ways: either the people had to repent and pray, or the church authorities ordered to control and change their thinking and attitude towards God.

During the Second World War, the "Day of Repentance and Prayer" was moved to one of the Sundays and made in fact a special day off - to apply all one's strength to prayers for the war. After the end of the war, the Day of Repentance and Prayer was returned to its pre-war form. In the GDR, this was a day off until 1966, when a 5-day work week was introduced. In Germany, after the war, "Day of Repentance and Prayer" became a public holiday, except for Bavaria. In Bavaria, until 1981, it was considered a day off only in areas with a predominantly Protestant population. Only since 1981 has this day become a public holiday in Federal Germany. After the unification of Germany, the holiday was adopted by all the lands and remained a day off for another 4 years.

Then the government decided that from 1995 the Day of Repentance and Prayer would no longer be a holiday. This change was justified as the need to equalize the increased burden on employers, who are forced to pay the newly created compulsory insurance, by increasing the working hours of employees.

Now only in the land of Saxony "Day of Repentance and Prayer" is a public holiday. In other lands, every worker has the right to take a day off on a given day, justifying this with his religious duties. In addition, most schools and kindergartens are closed in Bavaria. All this is subject to much criticism. However, attempts to return the day off have not been successful so far.

But, despite the lack of a day off, the "Day of Repentance and Prayer" remains an important part of the Christian faith. Of course, regular worship services, as they used to be, are no longer held. However, the day before, short plays are staged in schools based on biblical stories related to repentance. And in the evening of this day, divine services are held in many parishes, where the people are called to return to God. At the same time, it is not only about the return of the spiritual. Actions and deeds must also be changed for the better.

On the Day of Remembrance of the Dead, the names of parishioners who died in the past year are announced during services, and relatives commemorate them in cemeteries with hymns and prayers. The ringing of church bells on this day reminds everyone of the frailty of life.

There is nothing surprising in the fact that the last Sunday of the church year was chosen for this day. On the one hand, it is a sign of the end, of irreversibility. However, one week later, the light of the first Advent candle lights up again, which is a symbol of a new, beginning life. Thus, it is clearly emphasized that death is not the end of life.

The day begins in the 15th century. Initially, the reformers did not accept the Catholic All Saints' Day and did not create a similar one in the Protestant calendar of holidays, as they wanted to separate themselves from the unwanted cult of burials and the dead. In most Protestant parishes, commemoration of the dead was taboo until the early 19th century.

In 1816, the Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm III declared the last Sunday of the church year "the Day of Remembrance of those who died in the war of liberation against Napoleon." Gradually, many similar regional holidays united and joined this day. The Protestant Church adopted it and opposed it to the Catholic All Saints' Day.

Saint Nikolaus Day is the first sign of the approaching Christmas. It has been celebrated in Germany since 1555.

In old church records it says: "Before the day of St. Nikolaus, mothers keep gifts and rods ready for their children." In ancient times, Saint Nikolaus gave children nuts, dried fruits and sweet bread baked according to a special recipe with the addition of dried pears, clothes and other things necessary for daily life.

Also today, on the night of December 5th to 6th, German children put polished shoes or boots outside the door so that a passing saint puts apples, tangerines, nuts, sweets there. True, St. Nikolaus brings tasty gifts only to obedient children, and those who annoyed their parents for a whole year and did not obey will receive a rod as a gift. Which of the children was obedient and which was not, Nikolaus reads in his special “golden book”.

An old German children's song goes:

"Saint Nikolaus, give me what you yourself wish,

Apples, nuts, almonds are readily eaten by small children...”.

Christmas in Germany is celebrated on three days: December 24 (Christmas Eve), December 25 (the first day of Christmas, the birth of Christ) and December 26 (the second day of Christmas).

On Christmas Eve in Christian families in Germany it is customary to give each other gifts. This custom is called "Bescherung" - gift giving. It takes place in the flickering of Christmas tree candles, which are lit before or after the Christmas service. Christmas songs are heard, family members give each other gifts.

Children are told a fairy tale that gifts were brought by Santa Claus or the baby Christ. Many families invite Santa to this evening, most often played by a student dressed in a matching costume.

On the first and second days of Christmas, many go to church for a festive service or mass. December 25 and 26 are days off.

Christmas is one of the most beautiful and favorite holidays in Germany, so the Germans prepare for it long and thoroughly.

It was the Germans who gave the world the impractical, cheerful and bright custom of decorating the Christmas tree. Or rather, one German - Martin Luther, the great Protestant and religious reformer.

Four weeks before Christmas, on Saturday, Advent begins. The first pre-Christmas service is held in the church, in which children very often also participate: they sing, play various musical instruments, show performances on Christmas themes. This evening, the Germans will light the first of four candles on the Advent spruce wreath.

Also, Christmas pastries are prepared ahead of time: gingerbread and adits. Stolen in the life of the Germans is of particular importance. The very form of sweet bread, abundantly stuffed with raisins, spices and nuts, resembles a swaddled child - Christ. It is known that adits were baked in Saxony as early as 1300.

The aroma of the holiday is on the streets. About three weeks before Christmas, the Weihnachtsmarkt, the Christmas market, begins. Usually it is arranged on one of the central squares of the city. Rows of decorated tents and houses are lined up, in which there is nothing! Gingerbread and galleries, chocolate figurines and cotton candy, roasted almonds and sweet doughnuts. There are also all kinds of Christmas souvenirs: figurines of animals and fairy-tale people carved from wood, Christmas pyramids rotating from lit candles, glass balls and figurines “smoking” with aromatic candles. Well, what a German fair without fried sausages and gluvain!

In the center of the fair, a stage is being built where Christmas concerts take place. Here at the fair you can also meet the German Santa Claus, in order to tell you in secret again what gift you expect from him for Christmas.

The gifts will be brought under the Christmas tree by Weihnachtsmann on the evening of December 24th. Then, on the Holy evening on the eve of Christmas, the whole family will gather at the table.

Christmas is a family holiday, so on December 25 the whole family will gather for a festive dinner once again. This time on the table there will be a baked goose with klez and stewed cabbage. And the house will again be filled with an atmosphere of comfort, tranquility and magic.

The second day of Christmas, December 26, is dedicated to the memory of the holy Protomartyr Stephen; the third day, December 27, is dedicated to the memory of the holy apostle and evangelist John the Theologian (on this day the rite of consecration of wine is performed); the fourth day, December 28, is the memory of the Holy Innocent Infants of Bethlehem (priests on this day give a special blessing to children).

The first Christian martyr, Archdeacon St. Stephen, was one of the seven apostles chosen by the Apostle Peter to help the poor and preach Christianity. He was martyred (Stefan was stoned to death) at the age of about 35 in about 35 AD. Before his death, Stefan said: "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit, Lord, do not impute this to them as a sin," and then he committed his pure soul to Christ.

St. Stephen's Cathedral has been the main temple of the Austrian capital since the 12th century. His images began to appear in paintings with views of Vienna in the Middle Ages.

On the Sunday that falls on one of the eight days of the celebration of Christmas (octave), or on December 30, if Sunday does not fall on these days, the feast of the Holy Family is celebrated: the Infant Jesus, the Virgin Mary and Joseph the Betrothed.

Germany is a country where punctuality, scrupulousness and order are valued above all else. It is not surprising that German holidays are events, the preparation of which is taken extremely seriously. However, the celebrations are as fun as in any other country in the world. So, what dates are of particular importance for the inhabitants of the state?

German holidays: Oktoberfest in Munich

For more than two centuries, Oktoberfest has been celebrated annually in Munich, with which no one in the world can compare in terms of popularity. Like many other German holidays, this event lasts for several days. It is traditionally arranged in the first decade of October. According to statistics, the celebration annually attracts over 6 million connoisseurs of good beer, who flock to Munich from all over the world.

The venue for the celebration is Teresa Meadow, located in the heart of Munich. 14 huge tents are erected here, inside each of which there is a place for ten thousand people, as well as 15 small tents, the capacity of which can accommodate about a thousand people. Listing other German holidays, one cannot think of a busier event than this one. Waitresses scurry around the tents serving beer to guests, and the legendary pork sausages are also offered. Of course, the organizers of the event do not forget about the music.

in Stuttgart

Volksfest is the name of the famous harvest festival that takes place every year in Stuttgart. The event starts on September 23, lasts until October 9, competing with the Munich festival. It's hard to imagine German holidays without beer tasting, a drink is also offered in Stuttgart. However, the festival is different in that it provides a wide range of entertainment for the whole family. While parents pay tribute to Bavarian sausages and beer, children have fun riding the rides.

The Volksfest festival is extremely important for the Germans; these days, traditions tell us to thank God for a great harvest. Special church services are held. The festive procession looks very colorful and large-scale, thousands of residents and guests of the city follow the parade. Hundreds of magicians and artists perform at the fair, music is heard everywhere.

German Unity Day

Listing the German holidays and traditions associated with them, one cannot fail to mention the Day of German Unity. The celebration is dedicated to the unification of the country, which ended in 1990. The date of the event has remained unchanged since then - October 3, the holiday is official, celebrated in all corners of the state.

In terms of scale, this event can hardly be compared, for example, with the American one. There is no military parade, but the people of the country are happy to take part in mass celebrations and watch free concerts. Of course, the celebration ends with fireworks. Also on this day, parliamentary sessions are traditionally held.

Saint Martin's Day

When naming the most famous German holidays and the customs associated with them, one cannot forget St. Martin's Day. Many people in Germany mention this celebration among their favorites, it takes place on November 11th. There is even a beautiful legend related to this event, the main character of which is a Roman legionnaire who helped people out of trouble.

St. Martin's Day is adored not only by adults, but also by children. The guys run through the streets, lighting their way with lanterns and singing songs. At this time, their parents are engaged in a festive dinner. An obligatory guest on the festive table is considered without which it is impossible to imagine this event. Interestingly, St. Martin's Day is also respected in other countries: Austria, Switzerland.

love parade

The Germans are not at all as stiff as it seems to the inhabitants of other countries. The original German holidays can serve as proof of this. For example, every year a Love Parade is held in the country, an event is scheduled for July 19th. In honor of the celebration, women dress in revealing outfits, music is played everywhere.

Of course, the Love Parade does not pass without a foamy drink loved by almost all the inhabitants of the state, which literally flows like a river. Thousands of people join the festive procession, professional DJs are responsible for the musical accompaniment of the ceremony.

official celebrations

Easter is an event that cannot be forgotten when listing German holidays and weekends associated with them. The religious celebration, which lasts three days, has its own symbol - painted eggs, and the inhabitants of the country traditionally attend Sunday worship. Then adults and children congratulate relatives and friends, everyone exchanges gifts and songs.

For the New Year and Christmas, the Germans begin to prepare about a month in advance. In all corners of the state, they begin to work. The appearance of the streets is changing, which are filled with colored lanterns, ribbons, garlands. The celebration of the New Year is traditionally accompanied by dances and songs, and fireworks are not complete.

Other German holidays also deserve attention. In May, the inhabitants of the country celebrate the Day of Solidarity of Workers, the celebration is traditionally held on the first day of the month. Thousands of people armed with banners and flags take part in the rallies. Of course, songs are sung.

Religious holidays

Religious celebrations cannot be ignored when listing German holidays. The calendar shows that most of them fall in November. For example, the first day of this month, which is considered the day of the saints and the dead, is important for the Germans. Traditions tell November 1 to remember the people who left this world, to visit the graves of friends and relatives, to decorate them with flowers.

An important part of the holiday is the church service, during which the orchestra plays mourning music. After the end of the service, the clergyman sprinkles the graves with holy water.

festival of light

This event does not have a history that goes back centuries like many other German holidays, since it was first held in 2005. However, the Berlin Light Festival fell in love with the Germans, forever becoming one of the favorite celebrations of the inhabitants of Germany. Famous architectural monuments, including the Chancellor's Residence, the Bergamont Museum, the Berlin Cathedral and others, become light installations for two whole weeks. City streets sparkle thanks to lanterns and spotlights, which are innumerable.

Book Fair

The Frankfurt Book Fair is an event that every book lover considers it his duty to visit. It is arranged in October, publishing houses from many countries of the world (about a hundred) participate in the festival. Interestingly, this holiday has been celebrated for over 500 years, but its popularity remains consistently high.

All German holidays with exact dates and translation into German are already listed on the blog - you can find them here. They are all there: from the January feast of the Three Wise Men to the December Sylvester! German holidays are divided into two categories: religious and state. The first, of course, more.

Holidays in Germany: winter

Christmas is the most important holiday in Germany. This is a quiet, family and very cozy holiday for the Germans. But until the very climax of this holiday - until Christmas Eve, there is the time of Advent. It is during this period that a festive atmosphere breathes on the streets: you can take a walk, choose new holiday decorations for your home, drink hot mulled wine, and at home - be sure to start culinary preparations for the holiday: bake Christmas cookies, rolls and gingerbread.

Therefore, it is safe to say that Christmas begins at the end of November - from the first advent when the Germans light the first candle on the Christmas wreath (more about Advent -). The whole of December is spent in a festive mood. From the first of December, children (and not only) open the windows of their advent calendars, and on the night from the fifth to the sixth they put out their boots - in anticipation of a gift from grandfather Nikolaus. Christmas Eve is the culmination of all the action, all the December excitement around holiday decorations and gifts.

I get so tired from all this turmoil, from purchases, from sweets, from visiting Christmas events, that I crawl to my favorite New Year in the old days with my last breath ... And I want January 1 to come quickly, and better immediately the 2nd!

New Year's Eve in Germany is, of course, a much busier holiday. People have parties, set off fireworks - which, by the way, can only be used on New Year's Eve. The German table for the New Year is not bursting with treats. The main thing is to stock up on champagne and other alcohol, and prepare a small snack for it, but definitely not kilograms of salads of all stripes))

Having survived all these holidays - and having breathed deeply - you begin to live an ordinary life. Get rid of all food supplies. For the New Year and Christmas, you need to stock up on a lot of food - for reasons - “what if it’s not enough, and the shops will be closed ...”

And then one day, waking up on a January morning, you decide to cook chicken soup, which you need to buy ... You go to the store, but it turns out that they are closed, because January 6 is already in the yard, and this Day of the Three Wise Men who brought gifts to Jesus and another holiday in Germany. Because you need to look at the calendar more often. I'm not making this up... We often planned to go somewhere and buy something, go to the hairdresser - and so on, and we ended up on this very day.

Orthodox Christmas falls on the feast of the three Volkhovs: in Germany, like all religious holidays, it is quiet and homely. Many do not even notice it: just another day off.

The next winter holiday - which is not celebrated by the whole of Germany, and in the north does not take place - is the carnival. I have already talked about it in detail and I will not repeat myself in the framework of this article - be sure to read

After carnival week, it's fasting time. And that means a break from the holidays. And this holiday lasts until Easter. Although until Easter, religious people still honor Palm Sunday.

Holidays in Germany: spring and summer

Spring and early summer are a whole set of religious holidays, one way or another related to Easter. See table:

Holidays marked in red in the diagram are public holidays throughout Germany. The rest - may be days off in certain regions, or not at all. January 24 and December 31 are still working days for some, and stores are open until two in the afternoon, so that everyone has time to buy what they need.

May is Father's Day and Mother's Day. Moreover, Father's Day is always a day off and it always coincides with the Ascension Day. What's funny: father's day is stormily and noisily celebrated by young men who do not yet have children))

And Mother's Day falls on Sunday: what kind of holiday is this and you can read a little about the history of its appearance here

Summer is a time when there are very few official holidays. Because summer is already a holiday. The Germans generally do not stay at home, if the weather permits. The parks are crowded, the forest paths too, not to mention the beer gardens and other interesting places.

And in the summer there are a lot of other unofficial holidays - urban and rural. Every July we have a wine festival under our windows - although the region is not at all wine-growing and not grape-producing. But for three days it’s been so noisy and fun here: that after such parties, the tongue won’t turn around to say that the Germans are boring and don’t know how to celebrate holidays. Both old and young - they dance until late and have fun like it's the last time))) Some of them are even taken away by ambulances.

In addition, summer is the time for holidays - why not a holiday? The Germans are planning this business long before the onset of warm weather and therefore they are looking forward to it.

Holidays in Germany: autumn

Of the autumn holidays, St. Martin's Day stands out strongly, when children walk the streets with lanterns and sing songs. Be sure to read more about him. What other holidays take place in the fall? Harvest feast, feast of all saints,

And Halloween also moved to Germany - although not everywhere: nevertheless, many adopted it: they not only carve a pumpkin, but also dress up in all sorts of evil spirits. In some famous places, various frightening excursions are held.

There is also such a thing in Germany as Stadtfest - a street festival. At first, I thought these were some kind of processions to match the carnival ones. But no! It's just a fair that came to the city center. With sausages, pancakes, beer, sweets and some fun for the kids. Such is the holiday of the city: walk, eat and enjoy life!!!

With the same motto, the Germans visit medieval markets, knightly tournaments and other thematic fairs with pleasure. You can at least every week find similar holidays in the nearest villages and cities.

And what about various fountain festivals, sausage festivals, forest festivals, bridges, windmills...and other regional parties? In general, you thought that the Germans are boring people, and for them every day is a holiday.

MAXILOG specialists are thoroughly familiar with the specifics of cargo transportation from Germany, therefore they always take into account weekends and holidays in Germany, and will offer the most optimal routes and delivery times.

Your advantages when contacting MAXILOG: delivery from anywhere in Germany; consolidation warehouses in Berlin and Hamburg; regular flights Germany - Russia.

1st of January
New Year
The fact that the onset of the New Year in Germany is celebrated from December 31 to January 1, the Germans are grateful to Pope Gregory XIII and his calendar, which is called the Gregorian and counts from 1582. New Year's Eve in Germany is called...

The fact that the onset of the New Year in Germany is celebrated from December 31 to January 1, the Germans are grateful to Pope Gregory XIII and his calendar, which is called the Gregorian and counts from 1582.

New Year's holiday in Germany is called Silvester (Sylvester). True, not every German is familiar with this saint, whose life and work were in no way connected with the New Year and the calendar, just the last day of the outgoing year, December 31 - the date of his death and the day of his commemoration.

“What are you doing on New Year's Eve?” - such a question can not be asked in Germany. Germans don't sit at home on New Year's Eve.

On the eve of the meeting, acquaintances, colleagues and friends wish each other "a good glide into the new year." Parties, concerts, discos, restaurants are open until the morning and are waiting for guests.

On this night it is difficult to feel lonely, because with the first stroke of the clock, people go out into the street, and champagne corks, rockets, firecrackers fly into the sky, fireworks begin in honor of the New Year. One of the most fantastic holidays in its scope takes place in Berlin: the length of the New Year's street party is up to 2 kilometers, and the multi-colored show in the night sky lasts more than an hour.

The main attribute of the holiday is spruce. For the ancient Germans, spruce was a sacred tree. They believed that the spirit of the forests, the protector of nature, lives in its needles.

By the New Year in Germany, houses are decorated with multi-colored garlands, wreaths of needles and figures of Santa Claus, and as soon as the clock starts to strike midnight, people of all ages climb chairs, tables, armchairs and, with the last blow, together, with joyful greetings, “jump” in the New Year. After that, the celebration moves to the street, where it takes on a gigantic scale: at this time, thousands of families leave their homes to congratulate each other, light up the sky with fireworks and, of course, drink champagne.

The custom of celebrating the coming year with fireworks also came from antiquity. Shooting from guns and cannons, people scared away evil spirits.

Residents of some regions of the country shot in the predawn twilight of the first day of the New Year in the gardens so that the trees would bring a rich harvest that year. It was desirable not to hit the tree itself.

In Westphalia, the villagers gathered at the blacksmith near his anvil on New Year's Eve to spend the outgoing year under rhythmic blows.

In the north of Germany, there was a different tradition: on the first day of the new year, children with songs and music went around the houses, receiving sweets and small coins from the inhabitants.

When raising a glass of champagne, the Germans say: "Prosit Neujahr" or "Prost Neujahr". The word "Prost" comes from Latin and translates as "it can succeed."

And, of course, good luck in the new year is simply guaranteed if fish dishes are on your table on the first day of the new year. Carp is especially popular in Germany. There are many skillful recipes for its preparation. And a couple of large circles of his scales are advised to be carried in a wallet - this brings wealth.

January 6
catholic epiphany
Theophany (Epiphany) is a traditional Christian holiday celebrated by the Germans on January 6th. As a rule, it is of particular importance in the lands of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and Saxony-Anhalt. Catholics also know this day as "Three Kings Day"...

Theophany (Epiphany) is a traditional Christian holiday celebrated by the Germans on January 6th. As a rule, it is of particular importance in the lands of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and Saxony-Anhalt. Catholics also know this day as "Three Kings Day" (Dreikonigstag).

Protestants sometimes refer to it as "Great New Year" (Großneujahr). The celebration of "Epiphany" (translated as "apparitions") is based on a biblical story from the New Testament. This refers to the story of the journey of the three Magi Kings - Caspar (Caspar), Melchior (Melchior) and Balthasar (Balthasar) - from the Middle East behind the star of Bethlehem, indicated by an angelic choir.

Finding the baby Jesus lying in the manger, the wise men bowed to him and presented rich gifts: gold, frankincense and fragrant resin - myrrh. In general, in the Ancient East, the Magi were called wise people who were prescribed knowledge of the hidden forces of nature, communication with the Gods and the possession of supernatural power. It was said that the three sorcerer kings could prevent the blows of fate and take away all evil from a person, his house and livestock.

The celebration of the Epiphany consists in attending a solemn mass in the church and a family dinner after midnight by the fireplace. The meal should be as rich and plentiful as possible. Dishes, as a rule, are the same as those prepared for the New Year and Christmas holidays. This evening, boys dressed in white robes with crowns on their heads and a long pole topped with a star go from house to house with songs and bless their masters. This is called the "Procession of the Three Kings". The face of one of them can be smeared with soot - he depicts the sorcerer Melchior.

According to custom, the owner writes over the door of the house the initial Latin letters of the names of the three Magi Kings: “C, M, B” (Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar), indicates the year and draws a cross. It means, "God bless this house." Such an inscription should protect the house and its inhabitants from misfortune.

It is believed that the day after the Day of the Three Kings has increased, and the night has receded. On this day, the Christmas tree is lit for the last time, as it completes the cycle of Christmas holidays. Epiphany is celebrated not only in Germany, but also in some Swiss cities (Zurich, Bern, Lausanne, Glarus, Zug and others).

January 27
Holocaust Remembrance Day
January 27 is National Holocaust Remembrance Day in Germany. This date was not chosen by chance. On January 27, 1945, the prisoners of the Auschwitz concentration camp were released, where the Nazis killed more than one and a half million Jews and representatives ...

January 27 is National Holocaust Remembrance Day in Germany. This date was not chosen by chance. On January 27, 1945, the prisoners of the Auschwitz concentration camp were released, where the Nazis killed more than one and a half million Jews and representatives of other national minorities.

On this day, mourning ceremonies are held throughout the country.

On the territory of the former Buchenwald concentration camp, former prisoners and official representatives of the authorities lay wreaths at the memorial plaque, which constantly maintains the temperature of the human body - about 37 degrees.

A special meeting of the Bundestag is dedicated to the memory of the victims of the Holocaust.

According to Bundestag President Wolfgang Thierse, the phenomenon of the Holocaust can never be fully comprehended. It still remains unclear why most Germans showed incredible human callousness during Nazism. "Those who had the courage to protest were in the minority," Tirze said.

The Spanish writer, former Minister of Culture of the country and a prisoner of Buchenwald, Jorge Semprun, said that "Germans' regret about their own history is the basis of a new national identity and contributes to the strengthening of Germany's role in the process of European unification."

(c) Vladimir Guzman (BBC)

February 5th
Berlin International Film Festival "Berlinale" (date for 2015)
Berlin International Film Festival (Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin) Berlinale is the largest event in Germany and one of the most important in Europe. The festival, since 1951, is held in the capital of Germany every year, it takes place in...

Berlin International Film Festival (Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin) Berlinale is the largest event in Germany and one of the most important in Europe. The festival, since 1951, has been held in the capital of Germany every year, it takes place in February for 10 days (but until 1978 it was held in the summer).

Along with the Cannes and Venice Film Festivals, the Berlinale is also one of the central events in the world of cinema. But unlike others, it is focused primarily on "author's" and "intellectual cinema". Feature films and short films created during the year before the start of the festival and not shown at other festivals participate in the competition program of the festival. Premieres are held at the Berlinale Palast.

The festival's jury, which includes well-known actors, writers, directors and cultural figures, pays special attention to ensuring that films from all over the world are presented at the Berlinale.

The Berlin Film Festival was founded in 1951 by the allied countries of the Second World War - the USA, Great Britain and France, under whose control then was West Berlin. But the awards were presented by the German jury. In 1952-1955, public opinion polls and voting in various foreign magazines were already carried out. Since 1956, the decision to award awards was made by an international jury, and the Berlinale received the official status of an international film festival.

Premieres are held at the Berlinale Palast Since then, over the past years, participants from more than 50 countries have presented their film works at the festival in Berlin. It was here that the classics of world cinema, such as Akira Kurosawa, Ingmar Bergan, Roman Polanski, Francois Truffaut and others, received their first recognition. Harry Cooper, Sophia Loren, Jean Gabin, Jane Fonda, Juliet Mazina, Jean-Paul Belmondo "shone" here...

Russian cinema until 1975 was not presented at the Berlinale. The first picture shown here was Sergei Solovyov's film One Hundred Days After Childhood, then Solovyov received the prize for best director. Among our compatriots who received festival awards in different years are Larisa Shepitko, Gleb Panfilov, Alexander Sokurov, Anatoly Solonitsyn, Inna Churikova and others.

As a rule, about 350 films are shown at the festival, and about 200 thousand spectators visit it. As part of the film review, in addition to the competition program, there are sections "International Forum for Young Cinema", "Panorama", "Forum of New Cinema" (these are avant-garde and non-commercial films), a video festival, a film festival for children, as well as a European film market.

The main award is the Golden Bear The main award is the Golden Bear (the bear is the heraldic symbol of Berlin) for the best film. "Silver Bear" is awarded in several categories - "Best Director", "Best Actor", "Best Actress", "Best Music"; separate prizes are awarded for outstanding achievements in the field of art, for the best debut film, as well as the Alfred Bauer Prize, which recognizes films that “open up new paths in cinema art”.

There are a number of additional awards at the Berlinale - Bronze Bear, Blue Angel, Best Artistic Work, Best Screenplay, Special Jury Prize, Special Jury Mention, Honorary Silver Prize, Personal Achievement Award, Foreign Delegations Award, Career Award, Award for script, Creativity Prize, etc.

Since 2011, the absolute innovation of the Berlinale can be considered 3D films, for which a whole day is allotted.

February 6
Samba carnival in Bremen (date for 2015)
Bremen Samba Carnival The Bremer Karneval is Germany's largest musical samba carnival, with vibrant performances and fiery music from this energetic Brazilian dance. Samba dancers from all over Germany come to take part...

Bremen Samba Carnival The Bremer Karneval is Germany's largest musical samba carnival, with vibrant performances and fiery music from this energetic Brazilian dance. Samba dancers from all over Germany come to take part in the street carnival, and thousands of tourists come to see this bright holiday.

The Free Hanseatic City of Bremen is an ancient and beautiful city in Germany, where there are many historical monuments, museums, rich city life, but its highlight is the samba carnival, which traditionally takes place every year in February for two days.

Samba is a Brazilian dance that appeared in Europe at the beginning of the 20th century, but gained wide popularity only after the Second World War. Samba music has a characteristic rhythm created by drums and maracas. Today this rhythmic incendiary Brazilian dance is included not only in the program of modern ballroom dancing, but also in the daily life of all dance lovers.

The history of the Bremen Carnival dates back more than a quarter of a century. It originated in 1985, when enthusiasts of the local dance school - the samba club - decided to organize a celebration of Brazilian music and dance in the city. Fans of incendiary samba held their own street festival, which in a few years won the love of the townspeople and was so loved by everyone that they decided to arrange it annually and already with the support of the Bremen authorities.

The carnival begins with a children's parade (www.bremer-karneval.de) In a few years, this Brazilian party quickly turned into a real carnival, and the sounds of samba never leave it. Every year the number of participants is constantly growing - these are dancers from newly emerging samba clubs, percussion and brass bands, and theater groups, and just those who wish - from Bremen, other regions of Germany and even from neighboring countries.

Although northern Germany is not particularly famous for emotionality, but the carnival proves that the city knows how to have fun. Powerful burghers dress up in costumes and take to the streets to surrender to the power of dance. The city vibrates with the drum music and masquerade dances of Germany's largest samba carnival. You have no idea what kind of madness the inhabitants and guests of the venerable city of Bremen are capable of during the carnival.

Punctual Germans start preparing for the festival in advance - exactly on November 11 at 11:11 am. This is a kind of Opening of the starting action of the Bremen Carnival. On this day, carnival communities discuss the future program of the festival, the number of participants and performances, costumes, etc. Just before the carnival in the city, many shops sell carnival costumes, jewelry and makeup for everyone. Special "guilds" and "guards" of jesters rehearse songs, write jokes and come up with costumes.

The carnival itself starts on Friday. It begins with a children's costume procession in the city center, performances by young musicians and dancers. Then the adults take over. For them, from morning until late at night, samba sounds, and dance floors are open, and in the evening and at night, competitions and performances of samba groups are held in several open areas of the city.

Every year the theme of the carnival changes, but the energetic rhythms of the samba and the bright colors of the festival always remain. "carnival of animals", then competitions of drummers. The evening program consists of dance parties in clubs and outdoors, and at night there are incredible costume balls. All this action ends with incendiary dances to Brazilian music and parties in restaurants and bars. Often the fun spills out onto the streets and turns into spontaneous processions of mummers.

The samba carnival in Bremen is a real madness when locals and visitors of the city suddenly seem to go crazy, dress up as clowns and animals and pour out onto the streets of Bremen to have fun from the heart. By the way, the Germans know how not only to have fun, but also to treat nicely. Traditionally, several types of beer, wine, as well as sausages, baked meat, and cabbage are served at the festival.

Every year the theme of the carnival changes, but the energetic rhythms of samba and the bright colors of the festival always remain.

12th of February
Carnival in Germany (date for 2015)
In February, in the Catholic regions of Germany, a carnival takes place - Fastnacht or Fasching. Carnivals held in Munich and Cologne are known all over the world. Preparing for the carnival, like everything in Germany, begins ahead of time, back in November. November 11 at 11...

In February, in the Catholic regions of Germany, a carnival takes place - Fastnacht or Fasching. Carnivals held in Munich and Cologne are known all over the world.

Preparing for the carnival, like everything in Germany, begins ahead of time, back in November. On November 11 at 11:11 am, the first meetings of carnival activists are held throughout the country, and the beginning of the 5th season - carnival - is officially announced. On this day, for the first time, you can meet people in carnival costumes on the streets.

There are handwritten records of the celebration of the carnival in Munich as early as 1295. After a boring winter, when almost no work is possible, why not arrange a merry holiday for yourself before the harsh Lent begins, and then the hard summer worries.

Modern people also need a little break from worries. Therefore, Munich, the center of culture, science and politics, for a while turns into a place of entertainment and jokes. Wine and fun - what could be more wonderful?!

Carnival week begins with a church service on Thursday morning (Weiberfastnacht) - until 12 noon - and ends with the same on Wednesday afternoon.

The beginning of the carnival (Weiberfastnacht) is celebrated only by women. They dress up as witches, fairies, devils. Men, having gone into a restaurant that day, run the risk of leaving without clothes - this is how women who are amused in earnest can joke.

The main event of the holiday is considered Rosenmontag (in translation - furious magnificent Monday) - a carnival procession. It resembles a demonstration: traffic is blocked and dressed-up clowns, princesses, kings, barons, all kinds of orchestras, girls, dressed in short carnival dresses, walk and drive along the central streets of the city for several hours in a row in decorated cars. Everyone sings, shouts greetings, throws confetti, sweets into the crowd of spectators, distributes glasses of beer and wine. The procession ends on one of the large squares of the city with greetings from the participants and a concert.

The next day, Tuesday, children dress up in carnival costumes, and in the morning they come to school dressed up. Immediately after the lessons they will go home (modern little carnival people go shopping), where they are already waiting with sweets and small souvenirs.

On this day, donuts with Berliner marmalade are sold in shops and bakeries, among which you can meet “happy” with mustard or a coin, whoever is lucky.

The holiday ends on Ash Wednesday with a church service: "Repent and believe in the gospel." And Fastnacht begins - a strict fast, which will end in 40-45 days with Easter.

March 12
Leipzig Book Fair (date for 2015)
Leipzig Book Fair (Leipziger Buchmesse) is the second largest book fair in the world after Frankfurt. It is part of the famous Leipzig Fair, and the latter is often identified with the book fair. Leipzig...

Leipzig Book Fair (Leipziger Buchmesse) is the second largest book fair in the world after Frankfurt. It is part of the famous Leipzig Fair, and the latter is often identified with the book fair.

The Leipzig Book Fair first opened in the 17th century, and by the 18th century the city had become the center of Germany's second-hand book trade. The fair takes place annually in mid-March in the German city of Leipzig and lasts 4 days.

At the fair, numerous publishers from Germany and other countries of the world present literature of various kinds, school textbooks, newspapers and magazines, calendars, art albums, audio books. There are about four hundred companies specializing in the production of children's literature alone at this event.

There are about four hundred companies producing children's literature alone (Photo: Losevsky Pavel, Shutterstock) Visitors to the exhibition can not only purchase books and other printed materials, but also attend lectures, discussions, meet writers and artists, see the award ceremony for the best publishers and authors. The cost of an entrance ticket for all days of the exhibition, as a rule, does not exceed 20 euros.

The book fair is traditionally held in conjunction with the Leipzig Readings spring literary festival. Every year this event gathers tens of thousands of fans of the artistic word.

April 1
April Fool's Day (April Fools' Day)
There are many different versions of how the tradition to celebrate April 1 arose. The French, for example, claim that they are the founders of the celebration of the day of humor and practical jokes. It turns out that earlier in France the new year began on April 1, but ...

The French, for example, claim that they are the founders of the celebration of the day of humor and practical jokes. It turns out that earlier in France the New Year began on April 1, but in the middle of the 16th century, King Charles the Ninth, by a strong-willed decision, moved the festival to January 1, and with it the custom of giving New Year's gifts to relatives and friends. But the French, at first saddened, decided that they would continue to celebrate the holiday on April 1 too, but give gifts not traditional, but comic, with overtones. In general, the New Year is the opposite.

According to historians, in Germany the tradition to celebrate April 1 appeared in the 17th century. On this day, it was customary among the townsfolk, as the Germans say, "in den April schicken" - that is, how to put it mildly, "send each other to April." Friends and acquaintances told each other incredible stories. Children were sent early in the morning to the pharmacy with errands such as "go buy pigeon milk" or "bring us mosquito fat, cuckoo oil and dried snow." Giving such a non-standard order means "sending in April."

April 3
Catholic Good Friday (Good Friday)(date for 2015)
Holy Week (Karwoche) begins on Palm Sunday (Palmsonntag) and ends on Maundy Thursday (Gründonnerstag), Good Friday (Karfreitag) and Holy Saturday (Karsamstag), thus concluding the 40-day Lent...

Holy Week (Karwoche) begins on Palm Sunday (Palmsonntag) and ends on Maundy Thursday (Gründonnerstag), Good Friday (Karfreitag) and Holy Saturday (Karsamstag), thus completing the 40-day Great Lent (Passionszeit).

Good Friday (Karfreitag) is a sign of sadness and grief, it personifies the death of Jesus.

This church holiday is brought to the rank of the state. Its name comes from the old German word "kara, chara" - "sorrow, sadness, mourning, lamentations."

Palm Sunday is the solemn entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and signifies His entry into the path of suffering on the Cross.

Pure (green) Thursday is the memory of the Last Supper of Christ and his disciples.

Holy Saturday is the day of the burial of Christ, the Day of tranquility and repose. This is a day of strict fasting. Everyone is preparing for the feast of the resurrection of the Lord - for Easter Sunday (Osternsamstag).
In Catholic and Lutheran churches, bells stop ringing from Thursday.

Until the 4th century, the Last Supper (Abendmahl), the death of Christ on the Cross (Kreuzestod), the Resurrection of the Lord (Auferstehung Jesu) were celebrated on Easter night (Osternacht) - on the night from Saturday to Sunday. Today is three days of mourning, starting with Maundy Thursday.

Since the 14th century, the tradition of the Prayer Way of the Cross appeared, which previously consisted of 12 stages, and in 1625 the Spanish Franciscan Antonio Daza added 2 more, here they are:

1. Jesus is sentenced to death
2. Jesus takes the cross on his shoulders
3. Jesus falls for the first time with the cross
4. Jesus Meets His Pained Mother Mary
5. Simon from Cyprus is forced to help Jesus carry the cross
6. Veronica throws the towel to Jesus
7. Jesus falls a second time with the cross
8. Jesus Addresses Weeping Women
9. Jesus falls for the third time with the cross
10. Jesus stripped of his clothes
11. Jesus is nailed to the cross
12. Jesus dies on the cross
13. Jesus lies in the arms of his mother Mary
14. Jesus is buried

Since the middle of the XVIII century there has been a pilgrimage of the procession to the holy cities.

In evangelical churches during Passion Week, daily blessings are held. Good Friday is especially marked in this calendar.

For Protestant Christians, the day of Jesus' death is the deliverance of people from sins. This is the highest peak of the church year, the most important holiday of the year.

In Catholic churches, the service does not take place, as well as the next day, on Holy Saturday (the day before Easter). Instead, at 3 pm - the hour of Christ's death - the faithful gather together to pray. There is a service dedicated to Jesus.

On the last 3 days of Holy Week, especially on Friday, it is not customary in Germany to visit and have fun. It is allowed to spend time with the family, be sure to visit the church.

April 5
Catholic Easter(date for 2015)
Germans, like other Christians, celebrate Easter (Ostern) or the Resurrection of Christ on Sunday after the first spring full moon - not earlier than March 22, not later than April 25. In the modern world, Germans celebrate Easter for two days: Easter Sunday and ...

Germans, like other Christians, celebrate Easter (Ostern) or the Resurrection of Christ on Sunday after the first spring full moon - not earlier than March 22, not later than April 25.

In the modern world, the Germans celebrate Easter for two days: Easter Sunday and the next day - Easter Monday. Both days are public holidays.

Initially, the ancient Germans celebrated the spring equinox on this day and praised the goddess of spring and fertility, Ostara, from whose name the name of the holiday came. The Christian Church tolerated this pagan custom, as a result of which it combined this feast with the Resurrection of Christ.

The egg (Osterneier), which previously had the meaning of life and fertility, in Christianity has become a symbol of new life and the new covenant. In Germany, eggs began to be consecrated around the 4th century, and even then they were painted in different colors (mostly red).

Another symbol of German Easter is the Easter Bunny (Osterhase). It is also borrowed from ancient Germanic cults and, according to popular belief, lays festive eggs (it is believed that ordinary chickens cannot lay them). On the eve of the feast of the Resurrection of Christ, the hare hides Easter eggs from the children in the grass, in the garden, in the forest, which the children, to the delight of their parents, eagerly seek on the days of the holiday. This is a very interesting and funny German Easter custom, reminiscent of the game "12 notes".

However, only the hare was not always engaged in this important business (dyeing eggs and hiding them). Back in the 19th century, in some German lands, these features of the hare were completely unknown to anyone. Until the 16th century, animals of various kinds were engaged in Easter eggs. In some regions they were "hidden" by foxes and roosters, in others - by storks, cuckoos, cranes and capercaillie.

In the Middle Ages, the Easter Bunny was persecuted, as it was considered a symbol of lust (hares have a large offspring in spring). It was revered at one time only by the Protestant church. Now the Easter Bunny is a favorite of all children. It is very popular in Germany and other German-speaking countries. On the eve of Easter, it can be found everywhere: on curtains and towels, on doors and windows; from chocolate and familiar soft toys to wooden, ceramic and even wax ones. There are no countless fantasies about hares.

And another important element of Easter is a wreath that characterizes the awakening of nature, the rebirth of a new life. An Easter wreath in Germany is hung on the front doors or windows, or at the same time. Decorated with flowers, blossoming branches.

On this day, it is customary to sanctify only blossoming branches in the church. They are decorated with sweets (especially chocolate), fruits, ribbons and presented to children. Consecrated branches are attached to the head of the bed, at crucifixes, and hearths of fireplaces. Dried branches are stored and used as amulets during bad weather, thunderstorms, and diseases.

April 6
Easter Monday(date for 2015)
Easter Monday (Ostermontag) in Germany is the day of visits. On this day, it is customary to bring gifts to relatives and friends, and those that symbolize Easter in one way or another. However, picking up an Easter gift is not difficult at all. Symbol

Easter Monday (Ostermontag) in Germany is the day of visits. On this day, it is customary to bring gifts to relatives and friends, and those that symbolize Easter in one way or another.

However, picking up an Easter gift is not difficult at all. The symbolism of the holiday goes on sale in a wide variety of options long before its onset. Although it is worth saying that things made and decorated with one's own hands are most valued. Even on Easter they organize games in the family circle, an indispensable attribute of which is an egg.

At present, the holiday is becoming not so much a church holiday, but rather a nationwide one. And greetings on this day invariably continue to sound the same as in the old days: "Frohe Ostern!" (Happy Easter!) or "Ein frohes Osterfest!" (Happy Easter!).

Easter Monday in Germany is a national holiday and a day off.

The 1 of May
Labor Day (Labor Day)
As in many other countries, May 1 in Germany is International Workers' Day. In the Middle Ages, where the holiday of meeting spring came from, it was on the state of the economy on May 1 that the payment of laborers for the whole year depended. Clear...

As in many other countries, May 1 in Germany is International Workers' Day.

In the Middle Ages, where the holiday of meeting spring came from, it was on the state of the economy on May 1 that the payment of laborers for the whole year depended.

It is clear that the last night always caused the maximum anxiety, because they might not have been paid for the work. It is this, researchers believe, that gave rise to the belief that Walpurgis Night is the night of the witches' feast. Witches mounted brooms and flocked to the mountain peaks, where they spent their time in wild feasts, dances and copulation with demons and the devil. Therefore, so that the year of labor would not be in vain, the laborers had to burn fires, not sleep and sing songs in order to drive away the unclean. And in the morning to show the saved herds and fields, get what you earn and have fun under the Maypole ...

Gradually, the day of settlement with laborers was transformed into a holiday for the working people, and after the execution of a demonstration of workers in Chicago in 1886, it began to be celebrated annually as a proletarian holiday. And already here instead of devils and unclean capitalists began to act. The red carnation became the symbol of this holiday, because on this day the workers recognized each other by this flower in their buttonholes.

With the coming to power of Hitler, this day received official status in 1933 and was called the "Day of National Labor". After the war in 1946, the holiday was confirmed with restrictions by the Allied countries. Usually in Germany on May 1 demonstrations and pickets of trade unions and various political organizations are held. On a local scale, politically uncolored meetings of residents and neighbors are held - the so-called Hoffest (yard festival). May Day in Berlin is also known for violent clashes between members of radical left groups and the police.

On this day in the morning in many large cities, the Association of German Trade Unions - Der Deutsche Gewerkschaftsbund (DGB) - organizes demonstrations and political rallies. On the evening of April 30, festivities are held everywhere under the slogan “Dance in May”, which, according to the old tradition, welcomes the onset of the spring month of May.

In some places, it is customary to decorate the Maypole. This is also an old custom: the Maypole symbolizes spring fertility.

In a word, everything is mixed up in modern Germany: paganism, Christianity, the proletariat. All in one place and under one pine tree, i.е. under the may tree.

May Day in Germany
Since ancient times, the May Day (Maifeiertag) has been celebrated in Germany cheerfully and noisily. On this day, you can dance, sing, buy useful and funny things at the craftsmen's fair, listen to music. In a word, have fun...

Since ancient times, the May Day (Maifeiertag) has been celebrated in Germany cheerfully and noisily. On this day, you can dance, sing, buy useful and funny things at the craftsmen's fair, listen to music. In a word, have fun, relax.

The celebration is held in honor of the resurgent nature, blooming spring. Winter has passed - nature begins a new life.

The symbolism of this holiday is associated with Easter and the Trinity. Blossoming greens, a combination of red and green have a special magic. However, the custom of this holiday dates back to pagan times.

Even the ancient Greeks on this day dressed with strips of wool the sacred pine tree of Attis (the husband of Mother Earth - Cybele) in honor of his resurrection. The pine tree had cut off branches. She was solemnly carried with a procession to the temple, during the procession everyone danced around the tree. In the ancient world, this day turned into the Holiday of Hilaria, and later among the northern peoples - the day of the May Queen and the Green Man. In the Middle Ages, this custom was adopted by the Germans, which still exists today.

As usual, the May holiday begins the day before, on Walpurgis Night. On the evening of April 30, the “Dance (Dances) in May” festivities are held everywhere, which, according to the old tradition, welcome the onset of the best month for the awakening of spring. It is obligatory to decorate the house (inside and outside) and the garden with young shoots and flowers. All this ensures success, health, rich harvest.

At night, bonfires are lit, around which they dance, arrange dances, and jump over the fire. There is a choice of May queen and king.

In the morning, the fun continues: this is the obligatory solemn carrying of the decorated May tree (Maibaum), which is installed in the center of the village. Around the tree, dances again take place, which, according to ancient customs, glorify His Majesty the sun.

The Maypole symbolizes the world axis around which the Universe revolves. The symbol of May Day is the Maypole (Maibaum). This is a tall trunk with a green wreath at the top, dressed up with young greenery and flowers. The wreath is decorated with 7 multi-colored ribbons, most often red. The Maypole is dedicated to agriculture and the resurrection of the image of the World Tree. It personifies life, flowering, spring fertility, health.

The Maypole symbolizes the world axis around which the universe revolves. A tree without leaves (pillar) is an unchanging axis or center. The seven ribbons are the seven colors of the rainbow that appears after rain during the sun and brings fruitful weather. The unwinding of ribbons from the center is a symbol of the creation of the world from the center.

The pillar is a symbol of a man, and a wreath is a symbol of a woman. Together they represent the renewal of life, sexual union, resurrection and spring.

It was these pagan roots of May Day that revolted the Christian priests, and not the struggle of the workers for their rights. In the worship of the tree, they saw the opposite of the processions, especially since Easter fell on these “merry” days. However, the holiday is alive, and no less customs, beliefs and superstitions are associated with it than with Christmas.

In some places, boots, shirts and other valuable prizes are hung on the maypole, whoever gets to the prize along the pole gets a gift. Checking the courage of the brave (this custom was once common in Russia, it was adopted from the Moscow German settlement).

In some places, the custom has been preserved to decorate a tree with green shoots on top and chopped off extreme branches, most often it is a young birch, for your girlfriend. Install it in front of her house as a sign of sympathy (and not necessarily become a wife or bride after that). Only one tree can be placed in front of the house of one girl, therefore, whose tree remains, the young men sometimes find out with their fists, and sometimes with cunning.

The young man who "planted" the tree guards it (so that, for example, his rival does not dig it up), and at the same time looks at the girl's reaction. She peeps through the window for the one who puts up the tree, and can put an empty basket on the threshold for him. This sign will mean that the young man is not reciprocated. And then he can hold a grudge, be offended and take revenge. After that, in the morning you can see a bunch of manure or dirt, and the worst thing is the gates smeared with tar, which since ancient times has been a terrible shame for a young beauty, so she guards the gate all night ... So they don’t sleep all night, one tree guards, and the second is the gate ...

Sometimes the inhabitants of one village try to steal a tree from another village, and at the same time, not forgetting to protect their tree from being stolen or ruined. For a stolen tree, a ransom is due - a barrel of beer ... at least.

Painting “May Day” (May Day), artist Joseph Nollekens (1737–1823) Maypoles in cities are painted metal poles, the purpose of which is clear only one day a year, the rest of the time they cause surprise among tourists. But the smaller the settlement, the more unique May trees become. For example, with carved figures of people, dancing couples, churches, tools... This is not even surprising, it is also a holiday for the working (Green) person.

In the same Middle Ages, when the holiday of meeting spring came, it was on the state of the economy on May 1 that the payment of laborers for the whole year depended. Here's how it turns out, going to the dacha on May Day is not a punishment, but a tribute to our ancestors ...

It is clear that the last night always caused the maximum anxiety, because they might not have been paid for the work. It is this, researchers believe, that gave rise to the belief that Walpurgis Night is the night of the witches' feast. Witches mounted brooms and flocked to the mountain peaks, where they spent their time in wild feasts, dances and copulation with demons and the devil. Therefore, so that the year of labor would not be in vain, the laborers had to burn fires, not sleep and sing songs in order to drive away the unclean. And in the morning to show the saved herds and fields, get what you earn and have fun under the Maypole ...

May 10
Mother's Day (date for 2015)
Mother's Day in Germany is celebrated on the second Sunday in May. In ancient Greece, Mother's Day was celebrated in mid-March in honor of Rhea, the mother of the great Zeus. In England, Mother's Day was first proclaimed by King Henry III (1216 - 1239) in...

Mother's Day in Germany is celebrated on the second Sunday in May.

In ancient Greece, Mother's Day was celebrated in mid-March in honor of Rhea, the mother of the great Zeus.

In England, Mother's Day was first proclaimed by King Henry III (1216-1239) on the third Sunday in March. On this day it was impossible to work, it was necessary to visit the parents.

In Thuringia (one of the 16 federal states of Germany) in the Middle Ages there was a Sunday (necessarily in the spring, because spring is the beginning of life, and the mother gives this life), on which relatives were visited and wished wealth and prosperity. Mother was blessed on this day separately and with great honors.

The tradition of the annual and national holiday of Mother's Day came to Germany from the United States at the beginning of the 20th century. It was then that the custom was strengthened to celebrate it in May.

For the first time, Mother's Day in Germany was celebrated in 1923, as a national holiday has been celebrated since 1933.

On this day, mothers are given flowers, small souvenirs, pleasant things, unexpected surprises and hot kisses. Although the main gift is attention. Adult children visit their parents' house and thereby tell them: "We have not forgotten you and we will be grateful to you for everything."

Book Day in Germany
Book Day takes place in Germany every year on May 10th. This date was not chosen by chance - it reminds millions of people around the world of the true face of fascism. It was on May 10, 1933 that the barbaric...

Book Day takes place in Germany every year on May 10th. This date was not chosen by chance - it reminds millions of people around the world of the true face of fascism. It was on May 10, 1933 in Berlin and some other German cities that a barbaric act of burning books objectionable to the Nazi regime took place.

This action was planned in the bowels of the German Propaganda Ministry as early as February 1933. Its authorship is attributed to the Germanist philologist, Dr. Goebbels, shortly before this, appointed minister of the department named above.

The public burning of books was aimed, firstly, at intimidating the “average person”, who was accustomed to respecting the printed word, and secondly, at attracting young people to the side of the National Socialists. It gave young people the opportunity to feel the radicalism of the new government, as well as the fact that the new government has high hopes for it. It was students who were assigned the main role in the upcoming inquisition of books.

Public actions of book burning took place in many, mostly university, cities of the country: Bonn, Frankfurt am Main, Munich. Teachers and rectors of universities were required to attend the "bonfire festival". “First the writers, then the teachers,” the students whispered.

Oscar Maria Graf, a famous German writer, did not find his name on the list of burned books. However, this did not please him at all. “All my life I have striven to write the truth!” he appealed to the authorities. “Why don’t you burn my books too? Did I write badly?

20,000 books were set on fire in Berlin alone. Basically, books by Jewish authors, as well as writings of a Marxist and pacifist nature. The works of Albert Einstein, Karl Marx, the writings of Heinrich and Thomas Mann, Stefan Zweig, Erich Kestner, Sigmund Freud and others.

Goebbels' action brought the expected effect. Revolutionary enthusiasm and radicalism, conflict of generations and ambitions of young scientists - everything was skillfully used to attract young people to the side of the National Socialists. German students in the early 1930s had the most exhilarating university career in German history. Now the youth had only to organize. The Nazi regime coped with this task very soon.

The “Bonfire Festival” served as the starting point for the introduction of total censorship.

Monument "Versunkene Bibliothek"During the years of the Nazi dictatorship, the list of banned books grew to 5.5 thousand works. Some authors were banned completely, others partially. Writers, poets, and scientists fell under the pressure of state propaganda. German literature was crushed. Almost all prominent writers went into exile - the Mann family (Thomas and Heinrich), Remarque, Feuchtwanger, Stefan George, Bertolt Brecht. Those who remained either stopped writing or became victims of unknown killers. Of the famous writers, only Ernst Junger and Gottfried Benn remained loyal to the regime. The fate of the German emigrants was dramatic and sometimes tragic. Kurt Tucholsky, Karl Einstein, Walter Benjamin, Stefan Zweig voluntarily left life by committing suicide.

Now the events of the 1930s in Germany seem terrible and incredible to us. And yet you should never forget about them in order to prevent the repetition of the "bonfire" in the future. To do this, on the modern Bebelplatz square, where books were once burned, there is one of the most striking monuments in Germany - the "Versunkene Bibliothek" ("The Drowned Library"). Its author is the Israeli architect Micha Ullmann, whose parents left Germany in 1933.

In the center of the square, under a thick square of glass, is a white room with empty bookshelves. A magical glow spreading from under the glass attracts passers-by. The empty space underground conveys the idea of ​​loss. And next to the glass plate is a small explanatory sign: "In this square on May 10, 1933, Nazi students burned books."

Dixieland Festival in Dresden (date for 2015)
The International Dixieland Festival Dresden is an international jazz and blues music festival, the oldest jazz festival in Europe and the second largest Dixieland festival in the world. It takes place every year from...

The International Dixieland Festival Dresden is an international jazz and blues music festival, the oldest jazz festival in Europe and the second largest Dixieland festival in the world. It has been held annually since 1971, in mid-May and lasts a week.

Dresden is an old German city with a rich history and architectural heritage. But there are other attractions in the capital of Saxony that are not related to the wonders of architecture and art, namely, one of the most popular jazz festivals in Germany, Dixieland, which attracts professional performers and connoisseurs of this musical direction from all over the world.

The whole city sings and dances to incendiary music (Photo: de.wikipedia.org) No wonder Dresden is known as the capital of old jazz, every year more than 500 thousand fans of hot rhythms and more than 350 eminent musicians from more than 10 countries of the world gather for the festival. Over the years, such jazz stars as The Jackson Singers, Blue Wonder Jazzband, Cynthia Sayer & Hot Jazz Group, Mart Rodger's Manchester Jazz, Blue Wonder Jazzband, Pascal von Wroblewski, Steve Clayton, Dixieland Messengers and other bands have demonstrated their skills here and performers.

During the festival days, more than 60 concerts take place at two dozen stage venues in the city, as well as many impromptu performances at various venues - in concert halls and on the streets, in cafes and bars, in parks and squares, on ships and even in the zoo.

Traditionally, this colorful event starts on the central square of Dresden with a performance by young jazz players from kindergartens and primary school students in Dresden. Then adult performers demonstrate their skills. All this is accompanied by the applause of thousands of enthusiastic spectators.

The final chord of Dixieland is a large parade of participating ensembles (Photo: de.wikipedia.org) Every year, Dixieland presents fans with an exquisite musical program. In addition to performances by leading jazzmen, seminars, thematic musical exhibitions and sales will be held within the framework of the festival.

The rich program of the festival also includes children's and family concerts, fireworks and mini-parades. The whole city sings and dances to incendiary music. Traditionally, some of the performances are free to the public.

The final chord of Dixieland is the general finale and a large parade of ensembles-participants, which have closed the festival for several years and are especially popular items in the jazz festival program.

The Dresden Dixieland Festival is a fun springtime celebration that welcomes all citizens and guests of the Saxon capital, and where musicians and listeners miraculously unite through the spellbinding rhythms of jazz and blues. And every year more and more fans of this musical genre come to the festival, both young people and older people.

May 14
Ascension of Christ (date for 2015)
The great feast of the Ascension of Christ (Christi Himmelfahrt) always falls on Thursday, the 40th day after Easter, 9 days before the Day of the Holy Spirit. It symbolizes the ascension of Christ to heaven to God the Father and completes the salvation of Christ after death and...

The great feast of the Ascension of Christ (Christi Himmelfahrt) always falls on Thursday, the 40th day after Easter, 9 days before the Day of the Holy Spirit.

It symbolizes the ascension of Christ to heaven to God the Father and completes the salvation of Christ after death and his rebirth.

The Feast of the Ascension, together with the Trinity, completes the Easter circle (Easter time). After all, this is the exit of Jesus from the human form and becoming his right hand of God the Father.

Many churches, including in Germany, use this day to hold worship outside the walls of the Lord's house, because God belongs to the world. At the end of the open-air service, doves (the German symbol for this holiday) are released into the sky and watched until they disappear. This is the personification of the ascension of Jesus into the world to his Father.

On Ascension morning, water and plants acquire healing power, so early in the morning, the tradition is still alive in German villages, collecting herbs. Thyme (Thumian) and licorice (Sussholz) are highly respected. Thus, on this day, stocks of herbal tea are usually made for the whole year (herbal tea among the Germans is the most popular drink after ground coffee. It helps against many diseases, first of all, from eye diseases and colds).

Also in the villages of Germany, detours of the fields are made with a prayer for fertility.

A bad omen in Ascension is rain, especially a thunderstorm.

Father's Day in Germany(date for 2015)
In Germany, as in many countries, there is Father's Day (Vatertag), which was established in the country as an official holiday in 1936. Its celebration coincides with the church feast of the Ascension of the Lord, which is celebrated on the fortieth day after ...

In Germany, as in many countries, there is Father's Day (Vatertag), which was established in the country as an official holiday in 1936. Its celebration coincides with the church feast of the Ascension of the Lord, which is celebrated on the fortieth day after Easter.

It is believed that this holiday dates back to the 18th century, when various processions and ritual actions were held in the country in honor of the Ascension of the Lord, including the initiation of young men into men and honoring the “best” men. Thus, the following custom was widespread: men were put into wooden carts and taken to the main village square, where the head of the city or the headman of the village rewarded the father who had the most children (usually something from food was given as a prize).

Today, such processions have lost their symbolism, and the holiday itself has become a Men's holiday in the broadest sense of the word. In some lands, it is even called Men's Day (Maennertag or Herrentag).

By the way, Father's Day in Germany is usually quite noisy. Men form a company and go out into nature without their wives, taking with them special carts (Bollerwagen), which contain alcohol and a hearty snack. Hiking and cycling (excursions) are also popular, or you can sit in an open-air bar with a glass of beer.

However, in a number of families this holiday is another reason for everyone to get out into nature together and have a good rest.

Recall that International Father's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June, and on the first Saturday of November - World Men's Day.

May 21st
Festival "Jazz Rally" in Düsseldorf (date for 2015)
The "Jazz Rally" festival in Düsseldorf is 80 concerts on 30 stages, 500 bands and performers, which turn the tranquil Rhenish metropolis into a city of music for a few days. The festival has been held since 1993: each time on different days on the second...

The "Jazz Rally" festival in Düsseldorf is 80 concerts on 30 stages, 500 bands and performers, which turn the tranquil Rhenish metropolis into a city of music for a few days.

The festival has been held since 1993: each time on different days in the second half of May - early June, for four days.

Jazz Rally stands out from other music festivals that take place in European cities every summer due to its scale. The organizer of the festival, Destination Duesseldorf, claims that up to 250,000 spectators have visited the music festival in recent years. For Düsseldorf, whose entire population does not exceed 600 thousand people, these are very serious figures.

Several concert venues of the festival are located in the river port (Photo: interlight, Shutterstock) Of course, no concert venue is able to accommodate such a number of lovers of good music, so the performances of creative teams are spread over 30 stages located in different parts of the city. For example, four sites operate at the Düsseldorf airport, four at the river port, and the rest are located within the Altstadt, the historic center of the city.

For the most part, you can easily walk from one stage to another. In addition, every guest who has bought a universal pass for all concerts (the so-called "jazz button") can move around the city free of charge for three days by any type of public transport, except for a taxi. By the way, the cost of the "jazz button" is quite small - within 25-30 euros.

22nd of May
Festival of Gothic music and culture in Leipzig (date for 2015)
Wave-Gotik-Treffen (WGT) is the world's largest Gothic Music and Art Festival, held annually in Leipzig, Germany. The date of the WGT changes every year, as it depends on the Catholic and Lutheran holidays...

Wave-Gotik-Treffen (WGT) is the world's largest Gothic Music and Art Festival, held annually in Leipzig, Germany.

The date of the WGT changes every year, as it depends on the Catholic and Lutheran Trinity Sunday. Officially, WGT opens on Friday and lasts until early Tuesday morning, but in reality, all the action begins on the night of Thursday.

Goths from all over the world come to the festival to listen to goth music and participate in goth events that cover the whole of Leipzig for 4 days. According to unofficial data, up to 30,000 people visit this holiday in recent years, which gives this festival a truly international status.

The Goth movement originated in England in the 1970s, this subculture is very diverse, but to one degree or another it is characterized by the following features: a gloomy image, black clothing, an interest in mysticism and decadence, as well as in gothic music.

In East Germany, a group of fans of this subculture decided to gather everyone who is close to them in spirit and worldview in one place. They called this event "Wave-Gotik-Treffen" (where "treffen" is a meeting). And this first attempt was made in 1987 in Potsdam.

But since the festival was not officially allowed and was held illegally, only a few hundred people visited it. Yes, and with the Gothic in Germany it was not much better than in the CIS countries now, and therefore the first meeting of the "men in black" was dispersed.

The first official goth festival took place in 1992 in Leipzig, at the Eiskeller club, and has already gathered about one and a half thousand people. Since then, WGT has been held annually in this German city, bringing together more and more dark music lovers from all over the world year after year. Moreover, this event began to be approved by many well-known musical groups.

By the turn of the 21st century, WGT had become one of the largest goth music and cultural events in the world. During the festival, the German city is filled with people in gloomy black robes, with metal jewelry and frightening make-up.

The main idea of ​​the festival is to hold concerts at 12-15 stages of the city, where many groups and musicians perform one after another - about 200 performers in various musical genres of Gothic culture. Every evening, these venues host parties with famous DJs.

But Wave-Gotik-Treffen is not just a music festival. Also, as part of the holiday, there are various staged medieval fairs, film and audio premieres, exhibitions, theater performances, role-playing games, church concerts, all kinds of lectures, seminars, “tours of the oldest and most beautiful cemeteries of Leipzig” and much more. Many guests of the festival are middle-aged people, not just young people

Since 2001, the festival has been an official and large-scale event in Leipzig and is included in the cultural program of the city's tourism department, so the city is preparing for this event in advance, using support, including financial support, from the city authorities. Much attention is paid to safety, law and order and cleanliness.

And although during the festival Leipzig turns into a “home of the Goths”, the appearance of which is sometimes shocking: white makeup, black long hair, terrible makeup, unimaginable outfits and accessories, but the locals have already become accustomed to this holiday over the long history of its holding, so the atmosphere in the city is full of friendliness and tranquility. Moreover, the Goths behave very kindly, do not refuse requests to take a joint shot. It should also be said that many guests of the festival are middle-aged people, and not just young people.

There are several world-class goth music and art festivals, but undoubtedly the largest and most popular is the Wave-Gotik-Treffen - Leipzig Gothic Music and Culture Festival.

May 24
Catholic Pentecost (Day of the Holy Spirit)(date for 2015)
Holy Spirit Day (Pfingsten) is celebrated on the 50th day of Easter to commemorate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles. On this day, when all the disciples of Jesus were in the same house, suddenly there was a loud rustle. The flames of a lit fire lit up over...

Holy Spirit Day (Pfingsten) is celebrated on the 50th day of Easter to commemorate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles.

On this day, when all the disciples of Jesus were in the same house, suddenly there was a loud rustle. The flames of the kindled fire shone above their heads, and the truth of the doctrine of the Holy Trinity was revealed to the apostles. After this event, the apostles began to speak in different languages. This divided them and, at the same time, united them, because now they were able to preach the Christian doctrine throughout the world, among all peoples. Traditionally, this event is considered the beginning of the Christian Church.

The Day of the Holy Spirit ends Easter time.

The name of the holiday in Germany - Pfingsten - was formed from the ancient Greek word for the fiftieth (fϋnfzigste) day.

Since ancient times in Germany, this day has been accompanied by weaving wreaths, divination, swinging and boating. Before this day, put things in order in the house and garden. Wildflowers are picked early in the morning, as well as blossoming green branches of trees, birch is valued. They decorate the yard and rooms. Bouquets and wreaths are hung over doors, windows, in the corners of the house, placed in vases, on the table and window sills. Even fences are decorated in the yard.

During the celebration, morning concerts, excursions, walks are usually organized. They hold traditional youth meetings, song and dance festivals, sports competitions. Various jokes are arranged, for example, benches in the park can change their place of residence (but only for a while, by Tuesday morning they will return to their place).

In the villages, the fields are again circumambulated with prayers for fertility. All the inhabitants of the village take part in this solemn procession. Reading the Gospel.

This is a traditional folk holiday adopted by the church.

Holy Spirit Day in Germany is celebrated for two days. This is a state holiday fixed at the federal level. Pentecost (Pfingstensonntag) falls on Sunday and Spirits Day (Pfingstenmontag) falls on Monday.

There are the following signs in Germany: "If it rains on the Day of the Holy Spirit, it will rain for seven Sundays in a row" or "Raw Day of the Holy Spirit - to a fat (well-fed) Christmas."

The traditional greeting is "Joyful day of the Holy Spirit" ("Ein frohes Pfingstefest").

2 June
Hamburg Short Film Festival (date for 2015)
The festival of short films (Hamburg International Short Film Festival) takes place in Hamburg annually in late May - early June and lasts a week. The tradition of holding this film forum began in 1985, when the first festival was held,...

The festival of short films (Hamburg International Short Film Festival) takes place in Hamburg annually in late May - early June and lasts a week.

The tradition of holding this film forum began in 1985, when the first festival took place, then bearing the laconic name “NoBudget”, which means “Without a budget” in Russian. Today, the Hamburg Short Film Festival is one of the most significant world events in the film industry.

The competition program of the festival includes several nominations. The International Films section evaluates cinematic works created by creative teams from around the world. Some of them are filmed with quite a lot of equipment, so their budgets can not be called modest. Others, on the contrary, cost their authors inexpensively - if we talk about finances - but took a huge amount of time.

Another thing is the section "Low-budget films". Only those works, the cost of which is relatively low, are presented here. In the section "German Films" you can see new short films from Germany, most of which were created by film school students and amateurs. And since 1998, films shot in Hamburg have been shown in a separate section called “Hamburg Films”. The shortest films are the participants of the section "Keep within three minutes".

In 1998, the festival had a "little brother" - the festival of children's short films "Mo & Friese", which is also held in Hamburg in June. The audience of these films is children from four to 14 years old, but viewers of all ages usually visit the screenings. In addition, as part of the children's festival, workshops are organized where children learn how to make their own films.

June 4
Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ (date for 2015)
The Feast of Corpus Christi is celebrated annually on the second Thursday after the Day of the Holy Spirit. It is considered a public holiday in Germany, but only in six federal states (Baden-Würtenberg, Bavaria, Hesse, North ...

The Feast of Corpus Christi is celebrated annually on the second Thursday after the Day of the Holy Spirit.

It is considered a public holiday in Germany, but it is declared a non-working day only in six federal states (Baden-Wurtenberg, Bavaria, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saar), in Saxony the Bautzen and Westlausitz districts rest and in the federal state of Thuringia - predominantly Catholic communities.

This is a relatively new Catholic holiday, officially established in memory of the establishment by Jesus Christ of the sacrament of communion (Eucharist). The Catholic Church regards the Eucharist as a sacred gift left by Christ to its church. The custom first arose in 1247 in the Diocese of Liege (Belgium). In 1264, Pope Urban IV made this holiday a church holiday, granting an indulgence to all who took part in the festive mass. The service of Corpus Christi was composed by Thomas Aquinas, and the text of this service is considered one of the most beautiful in the Roman Breviary.

This holiday gained special love thanks to the richly decorated processions that pass through the streets of cities on this day, which can be seen in today's Germany.

12 June
Bach Festival in Leipzig (date for 2015)
The Bach Festival in Leipzig (Bachfest Leipzig) is an international music festival and the most prestigious festival in Germany dedicated to the work of the great German composer Johann Sebastian Bach. It takes place annually in Leipzig in the middle...

The Bach Festival in Leipzig (Bachfest Leipzig) is an international music festival and the most prestigious festival in Germany dedicated to the work of the great German composer Johann Sebastian Bach. It takes place annually in Leipzig in mid-June and lasts about 10 days.

It should be said that several festivals dedicated to Bach are held in Germany every year, but Leipzig is the most famous. It has been held with great success for many years and is traditionally in high demand among fans of this great composer. Many famous musicians and music lovers of "eternal music" from all over the world come here.

Of course, Leipzig - a city known for its cultural traditions - is associated not only with the name of Bach - Mendelssohn, Schumann, Schiller lived here at different times. But it is with Leipzig that the most fruitful era in the life and work of Bach is connected - here in the Church of St. Thomas for more than 20 years he played the organ and led the boys' choir. And here - in front of the entrance to the church - there is a monument to Bach, and he is buried at the altar of this church.

Bachfest Leipzig is a festival with a long tradition. It first took place in 1904 and was initiated by members of the Neue Bachgesellschaft, a society of admirers of the composer's work. From 1908, the Leipzig city hall took over the organization of the event. Although the festival was not held every year, but quite regularly. Already in the 1920s, the slogan "Leipzig - the city of music" appeared. However, it was not until the mid-1990s that it was officially decided to hold Bachfest Leipzig annually. The festival was organized by the Leipzig Bach Archive and the city hall. The festival was held on a special scale in 2000, the year of the 250th anniversary of Bach's death. In subsequent years, it gained more and more popularity, the number of guests increased, and the program of the festival itself became more diverse and eventful.

Many famous musicians and music lovers of "eternal music" from all over the world come here (Photo: bach-leipzig.de) Each year the festival is dedicated to a special theme. Since the music of the great composer does not need a "festival" occasion for performance, therefore the organizers either go in search of the origins of Bach's music, or turn to its context. For example, the theme of the 2004 festival is “Bach and Romanticism”, when in concerts Bach's compositions coexisted with the music of Mendelssohn, Schumann, Brahms; in 2005 - "Bach and the Future", where Ligeti and Zimmermann, Xenakis and Stockhausen sounded next to Bach ... the memory of two more outstanding musicians - F. Liszt (200th anniversary of his birth) and G. Mahler (100th anniversary of his death) was honored. In 2012, the 800th anniversary of the day when music first sounded in the Cathedral of St. Thomas was celebrated, in 2014 the festival is dedicated to the 300th anniversary of the birth of Carl Philipp Emmanuel.

During the days of the festival, Bach's works - and these are masses, works for choir and orchestra, organ and symphonic works - are performed by soloists, musical ensembles and world-class groups in churches and in the historic concert halls of Leipzig, where the great composer once lived and worked. Traditionally, the grand opening of the festival takes place in the famous Church of St. Thomas.

In total, about 100 concerts and various performances take place during the festival. The main place in the program is occupied by musical works of the 19th century, but the public is offered not only organ and church music, but also chamber concerts and jazz interpretations. The participants of the festival also present their programs dedicated to the work of Bach.

It is worth saying that dozens of Bach festivals are held in Germany every year, but none of them can be compared in terms of level and popularity with Leipzig. The extensive program, which includes many activities, is aimed at almost any age and taste, and some of the activities are free. The Bach Festival is a mixture of secular and spiritual concerts.

Bach Medal (Photo: bach-leipzig.de) For example, concert tours to the suburbs of Leipzig, where the composer often visited, competitions for young performers, film screenings, an exhibition of Bach's manuscripts and documents, lectures and reports, as well as an excellent culinary program. Another highlight of the festival, which has become traditional in recent years (since 2003), is the awarding of the Bach Medal to outstanding musicians. The medal is made of Meissen porcelain.

Bachfest Leipzig is one of the highlights of the year. It secures the fame of the musical capital of Germany for Leipzig. After all, Bach accepts everyone. His music makes you think about life and death, good and evil, think about the meaning of life and what we live for...

June 24
Nativity of John the Baptist
Saint John's Day - Gehane. On this day, the Germans burned bonfires. The place for the fire, according to tradition, was chosen on a hill. It was common to set fire to a wheel mounted on poles. Fire and smoke had special healing properties. Guys and...

Saint John's Day - Gehane. On this day, the Germans burned bonfires. The place for the fire, according to tradition, was chosen on a hill.

It was common to set fire to a wheel mounted on poles. Fire and smoke had special healing properties. Boys and girls jumped over the fire in pairs. Girls wondered about marriage on this day with the help of wreaths of wild flowers - Gehanekranz. Such a wreath was hung on the doors of the house, between the frames of windows facing the street.

According to legend, on June 24, herbs and flowers collected that night had special healing and miraculous powers. Special healing properties were attributed to June 24 and water.

Munich Opera Festival (date for 2015)
The Munich Opera Festival (Opernfestspiele) is a unique event in the cultural life of not only Europe, but the whole world, and the city itself in southern Germany is considered one of the largest centers of world opera culture. So here it is for the lovers...

The Munich Opera Festival (Opernfestspiele) is a unique event in the cultural life of not only Europe, but the whole world, and the city itself in southern Germany is considered one of the largest centers of world opera culture. Therefore, it is here that the Opera Festival is held annually for lovers of exquisite entertainment, which starts at the end of June and lasts about a month.

The main events take place at the National Theater of Bavaria. This festival is extremely popular - more than 80,000 tickets are sold annually for its events. Additionally, another 14,000 spectators can watch performances for free on the large screen installed on the square in front of the theatre. The artistic direction of the festival is traditionally carried out by the music director of the Bavarian State Opera. Since 2006, this post has been occupied by Kent Nagano, a famous American conductor of Japanese origin.

The Munich Opera Festival is one of the oldest theater festivals in the world - it was first held in 1875. With this grandiose event, the Bavarian Opera annually ends its season. It can be used to track new trends, discover singers and directors: Munich today is one of the trendsetters in opera fashion.

The repertoire of the festival is extremely diverse and non-trivial. For five weeks, the local public and tourists from all over the world have a unique opportunity to watch new productions, the best performances of the current and past seasons, and festival premieres of a wide variety of opera genres, involving the best musical forces and world-class performers.

The Munich festival does not have a particular specialization, like Bayreuth or Salzburg. If we talk about some trends, then we can name the richness and diversity of this festival. Its most important advantage is the harmonious combination of classical and modern repertoires.

The artistic director of the festival is the famous conductor Kent Nagano. But the program of each festival certainly includes works by Verdi, Bellini, Donizetti, Wagner, Mozart, Strauss, Handel, Rossini, Gluck, Cavalli and other classics. Also on the poster are definitely works by contemporary composers.

The line-up of the festival performers is also great - Anja Harteros, Nina Stemmi, Jonas Kaufman, Kristina Opolais, Gwyneth Jones, Klaus Florian Vogt, Valery Alexeev, Anatoly Kocherga, Gabriele Schnaut, Vesselina Kazarova, Edita Gruberova, Heidi Grant Murphy, Ramon Vargas, John Tomlinson , Piotr Bechala, Magdalena Kozhena, Thomas Quasthoff, Dietrich Henschel, Simon Keenlysite, Maria Guleghina and many others.

In addition to a luxurious opera program, festival guests will enjoy gala concerts, solo concerts by world opera stars, performances by chamber and symphony orchestras. Most opera performances are preceded by introductions - two hours before the start of the opera, you can listen to a lecture on the theme of the work or watch a documentary film.

Since its foundation, and this has been more than 130 years, the Munich Opera Festival has not lost its attractiveness and is considered one of the most significant cultural events in Europe, it is distinguished by a high artistic level and a brilliant performing staff.

Folk festival "Opernplatzfest" in Frankfurt am Main (date for 2015)
Every year in June, large-scale festivities begin at the Frankfurt am Main Opera Square, which last a little over a week. The festival "Opernplatzfest" (Opernplatzfest) is one of the main social events of this German city. Sometimes his...

Every year in June, large-scale festivities begin at the Frankfurt am Main Opera Square, which last a little over a week. The festival "Opernplatzfest" (Opernplatzfest) is one of the main social events of this German city. Sometimes it is called an open-air ball.

The building of the Old Opera or the Opera House was built in 1872-1880 in the style of the Italian Renaissance. On May 23, 1944, British aircraft destroyed the building, turning it into ruins. However, after the war, on the initiative of the townspeople, the Old Opera House was restored, and the square in front of it became a favorite place for the people of Frankfurt to relax.

… where you can also treat yourself to champagne (Photo: Firma V, Shutterstock) The first festival was held here in 1978 and has been held every year since then. Traditionally, in June, numerous kiosks open on the square, offering delicacies from all over the world to residents and guests of the city. Snow-white pavilions are set up in front of the Old Opera, where you can enjoy champagne.

Around the fountain on the square there are numbers of the festive cultural program. As a rule, it includes performances by popular artists. Another spectacle can be enjoyed outside the official stage: during the days of the festival, the entire color of Frankfurt gathers at the Opera Square - famous politicians, businessmen, cultural figures. They, as a rule, also become the object of attention of curious townspeople and tourists.

July 11
Festival "Cologne Lights" (date for 2015)
The Kölner Lichter Festival is a magnificent fireworks festival on the Rhine that takes place every year in mid-July. The festival has been held in Cologne since 2001 and every time it attracts more and more spectators. Five years ago...

The Kölner Lichter Festival is a magnificent fireworks festival on the Rhine that takes place every year in mid-July.

The festival has been held in Cologne since 2001 and every time it attracts more and more spectators. Five years ago, the number of tourists who specially came to the city to watch fireworks was in the tens of thousands. Today their number reaches several hundred thousand people. For example, the seventh festival, according to the organizers, gathered more than a million viewers; 13 thousand people watched the colorful spectacle in the sky from the decks of dozens of river ships and boats.

Over the years, the rumor about the Cologne festival has reached the UK, France, the Netherlands - and from everywhere the curious come to the Old Town to look at the unique spectacle. Multicolor flashes and sparks, fiery fountains and sparklers turn the Rhine embankment into a sea of ​​flames.

"Cologne Lights" - a magnificent fireworks festival on the Rhine (Photo: www.koelner-lichter.de) The highlight of the evening is a nightly musical performance to the beat of fireworks. An exciting concert program and many festive events await visitors.

In addition, cafes, restaurants, shops, souvenir shops are open around the clock during the festival. Do not close their doors to visitors and museums.

8 August
Peace Day in Augsburg
Every year on August 8, Germany celebrates the official public holiday of one city in the country, namely the city of Augsburg (Federal State of Bavaria, Germany). The holiday known as Peace Day or Augsburg Peace Festival...

Every year on August 8, Germany celebrates the official public holiday of one city in the country, namely the city of Augsburg (Federal State of Bavaria, Germany).

The holiday, known as Peace Day or Peace Festival in Augsburg (Augsburg Peace Festival, German Friedensfest), dates back to 1650, and since 1950 it has been celebrated as an official state holiday. From the same year, this day is a public holiday for all small and large enterprises in the city of Augsburg.

August 8, 1629 - the day of the beginning of the oppression of the Protestants of the city of Augsburg, which lasted for 20 years, until the so-called "Peace of Westphalia" (Peace of Westphalia), concluded in 1648.

Peace Day in Augsburg is also associated with the Augsburg peace of estates and religions, concluded on September 25, 1555 between various faiths and estates: the Lutheran and Catholic subjects of the Holy Roman Empire and the Roman king Ferdinand I, acting on behalf of his older brother, Emperor Charles V. The peace of Augsburg officially recognized the Lutheran and Evangelical religion in the commonwealth of German states.

Rules of the Augsburg religious world:

General peace in the country;
- the estates that belong to the Augsburg confession (Lutherans) and the estates of the Catholic faith recognized each other;
- estates have a common church-confessional territory, however, subjects of other religions can move;
- cities of estates become bi-confessional;
- spiritual jurisdictions against Protestants (heretics) are closed.

The estates of "supra-confessional legal order" and "confessional analysis" are recognized in all united German states.

On the very same holiday, various entertainment events are held in Augsburg - concerts, theatrical performances, a parade of military bands, festivities, fairs, fireworks. The tradition of the holiday for many years is the Children's drawing competition on the theme of peace, as well as the ceremony of announcing the winners of the Augsburg Peace Prize (it is awarded every three years).

August 15
Ascension of Mary
The feast of the Assumption of the Mother of God is called in Germany "Ascension of Mary". This day is declared non-working only in the federal state of Saarland and in the communities of Bavaria with a predominantly Catholic population. According to federal state statistics...

The feast of the Assumption of the Mother of God is called in Germany "Ascension of Mary". This day is declared non-working only in the federal state of Saarland and in the communities of Bavaria with a predominantly Catholic population.

According to statistics from the federal state of Bavaria, this holiday is celebrated as an official holiday by 1,700 out of 2,056 communities in Bavaria.

In the Roman Catholic Church, on this day, the meaning is embedded that the body and soul of Our Lady Mary ascended to heaven, thereby completing the reunion with God the Father.

In the 7th century, the feast of the Ascension of Mary was celebrated in Galilee, in the 8th century it was transformed into the Ascension and began to be celebrated in Rome on August 15th. It has been celebrated in Germany since 813.

The feast of the Ascension of Mary begins in the Catholic Church 30 women's days - from August 15 to September 12, during which services dedicated to Mary are held. The days of the Ascension of Mary (August 15), Queen Mary (August 22), the Birth of Mary (September 8, this is a small women's day) and Mary's Day (September 12) are especially celebrated.

The legend says that the Mother of God rose to the sky in the rays of light and protected by angels, and the aromas of flowers, herbs and shrubs spread in the air.

In connection with this legend, on the Ascension of Mary, seven different herbs are collected in Catholic churches (the number symbolizes the seven wounds of Mary). These herbs should protect against diseases and ailments. Bouquets are placed in the house on the walls. Used in the form of tea, decoctions and infusions. Also, these bouquets can protect from bad weather and bad weather, for this they are thrown into an open fire.

In addition, the first harvest of hazelnuts and pine nuts falls on this day.

August 28
Celebration on the Museum Embankment in Frankfurt am Main (date for 2015)
The feast on the Museum Embankment (Museumsuferfest) is the culmination of the cultural life of Frankfurt am Main (Germany) - it is one of the largest and most significant cultural holidays and festivals in Europe. The festival takes place every year on...

The feast on the Museum Embankment (Museumsuferfest) is the culmination of the cultural life of Frankfurt am Main (Germany) - it is one of the largest and most significant cultural holidays and festivals in Europe. The holiday takes place annually on the last weekend of August for three days.

The Museum Embankment (Museumsufer) is an embankment on the south bank of the Main River in Frankfurt in the area between the Eiserner-Steg and Friedensbrücke bridges. It got its name because of the large number of museums that are located on it, and is the cultural center of the city, as many cultural and city events take place here. In general, the people of Frankfurt love to celebrate and have fun, and one of their favorite holidays is the Museum Embankment Festival, which also attracts more than 3 million tourists to the city every year.

Traditionally, the Festival presents guests with an extensive cultural program that harmoniously combines music, art, folklore and gastronomy. These days, numerous museums located on the Main embankment offer guests special exhibitions and displays of collections, lectures and readings, art projects and colorful presentations, various entertainment events.

The festival annually attracts more than 3 million tourists to the city. On the eight-kilometer long embankment along both banks of the Main, many grandiose events take place during the festival days - these are theatrical performances and dramatizations, musical performances, concerts of creative groups, performances of musical groups and dance groups and much more . Here you can also enjoy live music, demonstrations of handicrafts, a culinary fair ... And all this mass celebration framed by local dishes and culinary delights from around the world.

As part of the holiday, you can also visit choral performances, organ concerts in the churches of Frankfurt, the music festival "Music in the Monastery", small art, variety shows and other musical events of a wide profile.

An indispensable component of the Festival on the Museum Embankment is the sailing regatta (Drachenbootrennen), which is especially popular with spectators and attracts everyone's attention. At the end of the holiday - a grand fireworks display on the Main.

September 19
Oktoberfest (date for 2015)
Oktoberfest is the world's largest beer festival. It takes place in the capital of Bavaria - Munich, starts in the second half of September and lasts 16 days. It all started with the marriage of the Bavarian heir to the throne, Crown Prince Ludwig...

Oktoberfest is the world's largest beer festival. It takes place in the capital of Bavaria - Munich, starts in the second half of September and lasts 16 days.

It all started with the marriage of the Bavarian heir to the throne, Crown Prince Ludwig I and Princess Therese of Saxony. On October 12, 1810, the day their wedding took place, all the inhabitants of the city were invited to the festive festivities. They were collected on a large meadow, which at that time was outside the city limits. Now, in honor of the princess, it is called Therese Meadow (Theresienwiese). For the people of Munich that day there were festivities with free beer and horse races.

Everything went so lively and cheerfully that Ludwig gave the order to celebrate Oktoberfest every year. Every year the traditions of past years were preserved, and new ones were added to them. So, in 1811, a farmers' holiday was added to the races with a display of the most beautiful horses and bulls. In 1818 carousels and swings were installed. Then the first beer stalls were set up. In 1881, the world's first and largest chicken roaster opened.

Since 1810, the tradition of the annual festival was interrupted only during the world wars. After the Second World War, the beer festival opened in 1950, by order of the then mayor of Munich, Thomas Wimmer. Since then, it has been held annually. In 2013, Munich celebrated the "October Day" for the 180th time.

The tradition of Oktoberfest is the opening of giant beer tents (Photo: Losevsky Pavel, Shutterstock)Traditionally, on the opening day, at exactly 12 o'clock, the mayor of the city uncorks a barrel of beer. This symbolic action kicks off the beer marathon. Then a festive procession begins to move along the central streets of the city. At its head - "Munchner Kindi" - a symbol of the city - a young girl with a large bell in her hand, riding a decorated horse. She is dressed in a yellow and black monastic robe.

Carriages of the mayor of Munich and the administration of Bavaria are moving next to her. They are followed by a line of decorated carriages and carts with beer from all parts of Germany, especially from Bavaria. In addition to them, a column of shooters, artists and folklore performers, brass bands, detachments in historical uniforms, as well as representatives of all German states take part in the procession. In the hands of the procession participants are musical instruments from different regions of the country, which have been used since ancient times to this day. Traditional genre scenes are played along the way, people carry decorated branches and garlands.

This traditional costumed procession has received the honorary title of the most beautiful, historically important and best organized in the world. The procession always follows the same route, the length of which is 6 kilometers. It starts in Siegestor and passes through the magnificent streets of the inner city to the main place of celebration - Teresa's Meadow.

The hosts and guests not only drink beer, but also play music... (Photo: Dennis Cox, Shutterstock)Another Oktoberfest tradition is the opening of giant beer tents, popularly referred to as "tents". There are exactly 14 of them every year. The first such "tents" appeared in 1896. The largest of them, owned by the Munich beer "Hofbrauhaus", fits 11,000 people. And we are talking only about sitting places: the Germans prefer to drink beer only while sitting. In almost all tents, people sit all together at long tables.

Each tent has its own capacity and its own peculiarity. For example, in the Augustiner-Festhalle brewery, designed for 10,000 people, beer is served from wooden barrels brewed by monks. Schottenhamel (6,000 seats) is mostly run by unbridled and wild students. Next to the oldest pub in the city - the beer shooters-crossbowmen (Armbrustschutzenzelt) - a shooting range with 14 stands for shooting from a crossbow. And you can come to Winzerer Fahndl with children - it's quiet, calm, family-like.

Beer can be bought not only in tents: during the beer festival, the whole city is immersed in the holiday, numerous beer outlets open in the fresh air - biergartens (beer gardens).

Beer is served by waitresses dressed in old German costumes. The stamina of these women is amazing, easily raising 3-4 mugs of beer. But beer at Oktoberfest is drunk in liter mugs called “mass”. The first "mass" appeared already in 1892. Interestingly, during the holiday, visitors take with them, as a memento of the festival, more than 70,000 of these mugs!

Despite the fact that beer is a drink exclusively for adults, children are also not forgotten during the holidays. Carousels are specially built for future potential participants of the festivals, ice cream and other sweets are sold. Children ride on the children's railway, ride in horse-drawn carts, and special performances are arranged for them. Luminous horns, hearts, hats with flashing lights are sold on every corner.

However, not only children buy them, but also adults. And sometimes for practical reasons. According to the hearts and stars blinking in the dark, a special service identifies those who, after drinking a little beer, fell asleep in the fresh air. On carts they will be taken to a special place where the poor fellows can sleep, and from where they will be picked up by friends and relatives.

And they eat a variety of delicacies (Photo: Lilyana Vynogradova, Shutterstock)All 16 days of drinking beer are accompanied by a rich show program. Costumed parades, processions of shooters, horse races, concerts follow each other. Near the beer halls, you can often see dancers in traditional Bavarian costumes with leather pants, tap dancing "schuplattl" with heavy alpine boots. Also, the city's breweries and beer museums are waiting for you with their excursions.

Statistics show the magnitude of the holiday best of all. During the festival, about 7 million liters of beer are drunk (this volume increases every year), about 1.5 million fried chickens and sausages, 84 bulls are eaten. The beer provided by Munich's six breweries is sold at 650 beer locations. Additionally, 363 shops with souvenirs are opened. Visitors are entertained by 200 attractions and concert venues.

More than 7 million tourists from all over the world visit Munich during the festival. The holiday itself is consecrated live by TV channels of various countries of the world. For all this, the Oktoberfest beer festival was listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's largest holiday.

October 3
German Unity Day
German Unity Day or German Unity Day (Tag der deutschen Einheit) is a national holiday in Germany. It is celebrated on the day of the successful official reunification of West and East Germany on October 3, 1990. At the same time with...

German Unity Day or German Unity Day (Tag der deutschen Einheit) is a national holiday in Germany. It is celebrated on the day of the successful official reunification of West and East Germany on October 3, 1990.

Simultaneously with the unification, this day was proclaimed an official national holiday and a state holiday, while the national holiday of the former FRG - June 17, was abolished.

The unification of Germany became possible thanks to the “peaceful revolution” in the GDR in the autumn of 1989, which serves as a de facto unification of the people and is more revered by them.

On this day, celebratory rallies and meetings are organized in state parliaments and city halls, at which political celebratory speeches are made. They are attended by members of the Bundesrat (the upper house of the German parliament) and other constitutional bodies of the country, as well as representatives of politics, society and the population (the so-called delegations of citizens - Burgeldelegation)

This holiday has no special customs and traditions. In some areas, concerts and festivities are held, fireworks are arranged in the evening.

Compared to Bastille Day in France or Independence Day in the United States, Germany's national holiday is celebrated quite modestly. The only exception is probably Berlin. There are many cultural and mass events taking place simultaneously on different stages.

The 4th of October
Harvest Festival in Germany (date for 2015)
The most common name for the end of the harvest holiday among the Germans is "Erntedankfest" - a Thanksgiving holiday. The End of Harvest Festival is celebrated in the Catholic Church in Germany on the first Sunday in October. This holiday is over...

The most common name for the end of the harvest holiday among the Germans is "Erntedankfest" - a Thanksgiving holiday. The End of Harvest Festival is celebrated in the Catholic Church in Germany on the first Sunday in October.

This holiday is rooted in Roman customs. On this day, people rejoice at a good harvest and thank God for his gifts of nature (vegetables, fruits, cereals, berries) and for taking care of people. In return for this, believers return to him part of his gift.

The harvest festival was celebrated in pre-Christian times. It has been celebrated in the Catholic Church since the 3rd century. In Prussia, it was first celebrated in 1773 on the first Sunday after St. Michael's Day (September 29), after which it became a regular event. The date of the first Sunday in October was approved in Germany by the Catholic Church in 1972, and each parish of the Evangelical Church determines its own holiday date: the first Sunday in October or the first Sunday after Michael's day.

The ancient peasants believed that the harvest was guarded by the spirit that gave it growth or death. The spirit will give a good harvest if he is pleased and rejoices, and will destroy the harvest if the peasant did not please him or offended him. In this regard, this holiday was celebrated earlier as a victory over the spirits.

Today is the day of completion of field work and thanksgiving to God for his gifts. On this day, a special service is held in the church. At the same time, the church is decorated with the best fruits of the new harvest, wreaths of wheat. These harvesting and reaping wreaths are made in advance from the ears of the last sheaf. Vegetables, fruits, cereals are consecrated and laid out in front of the altar.

October 16
Bremen Free Market Festival (date for 2015)
The Bremen Free Market Festival or Free Fair in Bremen - Bremer Freimarkt - is the oldest and third largest folk festival in Germany. It traditionally takes place in the second half of October and lasts 17 days. In ancient German...

The Bremen Free Market Festival or Free Fair in Bremen - Bremer Freimarkt - is the oldest and third largest folk festival in Germany. It traditionally takes place in the second half of October and lasts 17 days.

The ancient German city of Bremen, a city with a rich history, hosts countless festivals and city holidays, its theaters are known far beyond the borders of Germany, but this ancient festival attracts more than 4 million visitors every year.

The history of the "Free Market" dates back to 1035, when the city received the right to organize this fair. Then, with the permission of Emperor Conrad II, all German merchants were allowed to trade during the week in Bremen without any restrictions twice a year: before Trinity and before the feast of St. Willichad (November 8). Subsequent monarchs also did not deprive the city of this privilege. The last time such a permit was issued by Francis II in 1793. Afterwards, the inhabitants of the free city of Bremen themselves decided to hold a fair.

The Bremen Freimarkt has a large number of attractions and all kinds of entertainment, so today the Bremen Freimarkt is almost a thousand years old, and thus this festival is one of the oldest and most traditional folk festivals in Germany. Currently, this is the largest trade fair, which is located on an area of ​​more than 100 thousand square meters, and one of the most popular holidays in the country, which is attended not only by residents of neighboring cities, but also by tourists from many countries of the world.

The two-week festival is interesting not only for the fair, where you can buy all kinds of goods - jewelry, leather, pottery, wines, toys, painted gingerbread, famous Bavarian sausages, sweets, roasted chestnuts and much more, but also for a large number of cultural events and entertainment.

The central event of the festival is the colorful parade "Bremen Freimarkt" - a huge square with shopping pavilions, beer tents, rides, carousels, a beauty contest, concerts, games, competitions, fireworks and a retro car rally. For the entertainment of citizens and tourists, there are more than 300 entertainment venues that work for all 17 days from morning until late at night.

Also throughout the city, guests of the holiday are waiting for music, dances, theatrical performances. The centerpiece of this incredibly colorful festival is the parade, which traditionally features over a hundred ornate floats and masquerade groups.

The autumn Free Market Festival in Bremen is not for nothing called the "fifth season" for its scale, brightness and magnificence.

October 18
Kirmes in Germany (date for 2015)
Kirmes in Germany is a kind of harvest festival, which today is celebrated with fairs and folk festivals. It is mainly celebrated in villages and small German towns. The holiday begins with the digging of Kirmes, a straw effigy with...

Kirmes in Germany is a kind of harvest festival, which today is celebrated with fairs and folk festivals. It is mainly celebrated in villages and small German towns.

The celebration begins with the digging of Kirmes, a straw effigy with a bottle of schnapps, which is buried in the ground 2 weeks before this day.

Then the scarecrow is solemnly carried through the whole village to a tree decorated with ribbons, garlands and fruits, and fixed on top. After a magnificent service and dinner, dancing around Kirmes begins.

Dancing couples pass each other a bouquet of flowers, and the couple who, at the moment of the signal-shot, will have a bouquet, feast on a pretzel as a sign of victory. On the next day of the holiday, it is customary to visit the graves of relatives. And on the third day, everyone is invited to the "funeral of Kirmes."

A comic funeral procession of mummers with torches goes to a wasteland, where they bury a stuffed animal, along with an inseparable bottle of schnapps, glass fragments, a rooster's head, ham bones and pieces of a pie. All this symbolizes the gratitude of the people for the harvest year and it is believed that the more joyful the Kirmes holiday is, the better the next harvest will be, and the destruction of the effigy is getting rid of bad habits and all troubles.

October 31
Halloween - All Saints' Eve (Samhain)
The night before All Saints' Day from October 31 to November 1 is the most mysterious night of the year - Halloween. The holiday, which originated in Ireland, then became traditional in America, returned to Europe after the Second World War, including...

The night before All Saints' Day from October 31 to November 1 is the most mysterious night of the year - Halloween. The holiday, which originated in Ireland, then became traditional in America, after the Second World War returned to Europe, including Germany.

Halloween is not a public holiday in Germany, but every year the number of people dressed as witches and ghosts grows. As the holiday's popularity grows, so does its criticism, as Halloween competes with such church and national holidays as Reformation Day (celebrated on the same day) and Saint Martin's Day (celebrated on November 10 and 11).

Pumpkin, as a decoration, can be found everywhere, and even on the roof
Preparations for Halloween begin in September. In stores, you can buy pumpkins of all possible varieties, sizes and colors, and not only real, but also clay, plastic, in the form of candles, garlands, etc. A huge number of witches and ghosts can be seen both on the counters and on the balconies, windows, in the garden, in flower pots and in wreaths hung on the front doors. Many children, together with their parents, make all these decorations with their own hands, including the traditional hollow pumpkin with carved eyes, nose and mouth and a candle inserted inside. And since the thrifty Germans do not waste anything, a variety of dishes are prepared from the pulp of the pumpkin - from soups to sweets.

To date, Halloween in Germany has acquired the status of a costume holiday. Across the country, children dress up as witches, vampires, or other creepy characters. In Germany, children do not go to neighbors and ask for sweets, as is done in many countries. Holidays with dressing up in schools and kindergartens are arranged for them. But all this is during the day.

Children not only dress up in costumes of devils, ghosts, skeletons, etc., but also always do some kind of "terrible" make-up. In the evening, not only discos and clubs, but also cafes, restaurants, where the scenery is made as creepy and scary as it is. perhaps open their doors to visitors. Adults, with no less pleasure than children, dress up as devils, ghosts, skeletons, witches and demons. The worse the costume looks, the more likely it is to win the main prize of the evening.

The most grandiose performance in Germany, and perhaps in all of Europe, takes place at night on Halloween at Frankenstein Castle. Up to 20,000 visitors flock to the ruins of Frankenstein every year to be properly frightened and horrified, as Halloween attracts a huge number of ghosts and ghosts that happily jump around the corner in front of you under the cover of night. There you can not only have fun and take part in the play being played, but, like at any other holiday in Germany, you can take a break in the bar with a large number of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, cocktails and snacks.

International Day of Savings
There is a joke in Germany - the Germans do not earn money, they save it. Because of this love of savings, the "International Day of Savings" (in German Weltspartag) is loved by both people and business. By this day, many banks and shops ...

Reformation Day
This holiday of the entire Protestant world in honor of the reformation of the church. This evangelical holiday is declared a public holiday in Thuringia, Brandenburg, Meckelburg-Vorpommern, Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt. October 31, 1517 Martin Luther (in...

This holiday of the entire Protestant world in honor of the reformation of the church. This evangelical holiday is declared a public holiday in Thuringia, Brandenburg, Meckelburg-Vorpommern, Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt.

On October 31, 1517 Martin Luther (at the beginning of his life he was called Lüder) first published the 95 Wittenburg Theses (Wittenburger Thesenanschlag). This view of the Roman Catholic Church and all the activities of Martin Luther had far-reaching consequences, which led to the formation of a new Lutheran church community. Although others such as Zwingli and Carvin made great contributions to the reformation of the church, Luther is considered the father of the Protestant religion.

This holiday is not the highlight of a new faith, but a day of respect for the ideas of Luther, who did not want to divide the church or create a new religion, he just wanted the reformation.

The holiday has no special customs. In each parish, it is celebrated individually according to its established traditions. In general, the country is a fairly quiet holiday.

Nov. 1
All Saints' Day
November 1 is the day of the annual commemoration of all the saints, martyrs and the departed. On this day, it is customary to decorate the graves of deceased relatives; Catholics light the “light of the soul”, which does not fade on the next Feast of All Souls. It is a symbol of the Eternal Light,...

November 1 is the day of the annual commemoration of all the saints, martyrs and the departed. On this day, it is customary to decorate the graves of deceased relatives; Catholics light the “light of the soul”, which does not fade on the next Feast of All Souls. This is a symbol of the Eternal Light that shines on all the dead.

In the states of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland and North Rhine-Westphalia, this holiday is a public holiday.

November 9
Special day in German history
November 9 is a special date in the history of Germany in the 20th century, it is also called the Fateful Day (German: Schicksalstag): in 1918, Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated the throne, after 5 years the famous “beer putsch” in Munich, led by Adolf, was suppressed ...

November 9 is a special date in the history of Germany in the 20th century, it is also called the Fateful Day (German: Schicksalstag): in 1918, Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated the throne, after 5 years the famous “beer putsch” in Munich, led by Adolf Hitler, was suppressed, after for another 15 years, the National Socialists organized Jewish pogroms, and in 1989 the Berlin Wall fell.

Great day 1989

On this day in 1989, the fall of the Berlin Wall - one of the most famous symbols of the Cold War - began the process of German reunification.

Everything happened unexpectedly on the evening of November 9, 1989. At another sluggish press conference on the work of the SED Central Committee, Politburo member Günter Schabowski was asked by Italian journalist Riccardo Erman about the new rules for citizens of the GDR to travel to capitalist countries for up to 30 days.

Schabowski flipped through his papers and read out the decision: “Citizens of the GDR are allowed to apply for private trips abroad without good reason. An exit permit will be issued within a short period of time.” Thus, Schabowski, without knowing it, opened the borders of the GDR.

East Berliners immediately took advantage of the opportunity to visit the West. Thousands of people that same evening rushed to the checkpoints on the border with West Berlin. The border service of the GDR was not ready for such a rapid development of events. The border guards were completely confused and soon opened the checkpoints.

After the fall of the communist regime in the GDR, the destruction of the wall immediately began by jubilant Berliners. Soon most of it was taken apart for souvenirs. Now there is a Museum of the Berlin Wall, which tells what tricks people went to to overcome it.

In November 2004, on the 15th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, a grand opening ceremony of the Berlin Wall monument took place in the German capital. It is a restored section of the wall 200 meters long on the site of Checkpoint Charlie, the main crossing between the western and eastern parts of Berlin. 1065 crosses are placed nearby in memory of people killed in 1961-1989 while trying to escape from East Germany to West.

Caution Day 1923

On November 9, 1923, the "beer putsch" (an attempted coup d'etat) organized by Adolf Hitler and his supporters was suppressed in Munich. The coup got its name from the Burgerbraukeller place - a huge beer hall in Munich, where about 3,000 people gathered on the evening of November 8 to listen to a speech by a member of the Bavarian government, Gustav von Kahr, and local top officials.

Hitler, relying on the forceful support of about 600 members of the SA (Nazi storm troopers), tried to overthrow the Bavarian and Berlin governments. He captured those who spoke and threatened the members of the government with an agreement that the next day the army of Bavaria would go to Berlin to overthrow the government. Hitler was going to act like Mussolini, who had captured Rome the year before with a small detachment.

On November 9, 1923, a detachment of about 3,000 Nazis marched to the central square of Munich. However, the leaders of Bavaria changed their minds at the last moment and put up a cordon of local policemen on the square. As a result, Hitler, like others, ended up in prison, receiving a minimum sentence of 5 years. In fact, he was in prison for only eight months, during which he managed to start his literary opus "Mein Kampf" ("My Struggle").

The Beer Putsch, despite its failure, glorified Hitler. All German newspapers wrote about him, his portraits were placed in weeklies. They talked about him. And already in 1933, Hitler came to power democratically. His party won the majority of votes in the Reichstag elections, which gave him the constitutional right to become chancellor, that is, the head of the German government.

Republic Day 1918

And again, on November 9, only already in 1918, the collapse of the monarchy occurred in the history of Germany. Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated. Reich Chancellor Max von Baden resigned and instructed the Social Democrat Friedrich Ebert to form a new government.

Social Democrat Philipp Scheidemann proclaimed a democratic republic in Germany from the window of the Reichstag. Trying to get ahead of events, a few hours before, the communist Karl Liebknecht (Karl Liebknecht) on behalf of the revolutionary proletariat proclaimed Germany a socialist republic.

Germany did not become socialist, but the establishment of a democratic republic had a huge impact on the entire development of the country.

11th of November
Saint Martin's Day
In Germany, Saint Martin's Day (Martinstag) is a harvest festival. He is especially loved by children. After all, it is on this day that Laternenumzug takes place (in free translation - “Procession with Lanterns”). It all starts in a few days, with...

In Germany, Saint Martin's Day (Martinstag) is a harvest festival. He is especially loved by children. After all, it is on this day that Laternenumzug takes place (in free translation - “Procession with Lanterns”). It all starts a few days before, with preparations for the event - children in kindergartens and elementary grades of the school make paper lanterns with their own hands, where candles are inserted.

On the evening of the holiday, children and their parents gather at a designated place (usually near a church) and set off in a column to some predetermined final point of the hike. Usually the distance is short: 30-40 minutes of travel, but the whole point is how it happens. The procession looks impressive - adults carry torches, children carry paper lanterns with lighted candles. Typically, up to several hundred people participate in such trips, so a kind of luminous snake of hundreds of lanterns and torches stretches around the city.

According to legend, this is how the fellow villagers of Saint Martin used to look for him with lanterns and torches in order to pay tribute to him for his kindness.

15th of November
National Mourning Day in Germany (date for 2015)
National Day of Sorrow (German: Volkstrauertag) is a national day of remembrance in Germany. It is celebrated in mid-November and currently serves as a reminder of the need for reconciliation, understanding and peace. The history of this day is not simple and...

National Day of Sorrow (German: Volkstrauertag) is a national day of remembrance in Germany. It is celebrated in mid-November and currently serves as a reminder of the need for reconciliation, understanding and peace. The history of this day is not simple and ambiguous.

The day was established by the German People's Society for the Care of War Graves in 1919 to commemorate the almost 2 million dead and missing during the First World War.

"Unprescribed" grief was the motive of this day, a sign of solidarity of those who lost no one and who had no one to mourn, with the relatives of the dead and missing.

In 1922, the first official solemn meeting took place in the Berlin Reichstag. Paul Loebe, then President of the Reichstag, delivers a speech with an international response in which he contrasts the warring world around him with reflections on reconciliation and understanding. Since 1926, the Day of National Sorrow was regularly celebrated on the fifth Sunday after Easter, however, it was not a public holiday.

After the transfer of power into the hands of the National Socialists in 1933, this day was legally declared a state holiday. The organizers of the new public holiday from 1933 to 1945 were the Wehrmacht and the National Socialist German Workers' Party. The nature of the Day of National Sorrow has also undergone strong changes. Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels issued directives on the content and conduct of the holiday.

Now mourning was no longer his basis. From now on, the dead soldiers of the First World War were glorified as "Heroes" with Nazi pomp. Flags in the country were not lowered, but raised completely. The change in the content of the holiday was especially clearly expressed in the change in its name: the Nazis renamed the Day of National Sorrow into "Day of Memory of Heroes."

In 1948, the German People's Society for the Care of War Graves again adopted the tradition of celebrating the Day of National Sorrow in the form that it had been before 1933. The purpose of the holiday, as before, was mourning and mourning for the dead, but now of two world wars, a reminder of the victims of tyranny and despotism, regardless of nationality.

The first central mourning meeting dedicated to the Day of National Sorrow took place in 1950 in Bonn. Since 1952, this day in Germany has been considered a national day of mourning.

After the Bundestag moved from Bonn to Berlin, the central mourning meeting takes place in the plenary hall of the Bundestag in one of the Reichstag buildings in Berlin. An obligatory part of the rally is the speech of the Chancellor, the heads of government offices and the diplomatic corps, as well as musical accompaniment: the performance of the national anthem and the song "Good Comrade". Similarly, rallies are held in all federal states and most cities in Germany. In all settlements, wreaths are solemnly laid at memorials.

By the way, in another week the Protestant Church of Germany celebrates All Souls' Day (Totensonntag).

November 18th
Day of repentance and prayer (date for 2015)
The Day of Repentance and Prayer (Buß- und Bettag) in Germany is a ritual holiday of the Protestant church, rooted in turbulent times of disaster and war. The word "repentance" often creates the wrong associations. This day is not about...

The Day of Repentance and Prayer (Buß- und Bettag) in Germany is a ritual holiday of the Protestant church, rooted in turbulent times of disaster and war. The word "repentance" often creates the wrong associations. On this day, we are not talking about repentance for the deed in the sense of receiving punishment for it, but about changing attitudes, returning to God.

There is a parable in the Bible about Jonah, who was sent by God to Ninivea to announce the destruction of that city. And then, at the behest of the king of Ninivei, everyone had to forcefully call to God. And people repented of their sins, and turned from evil to good. God heard the prayers and saw the deeds, and did not create what he intended.

Joint repentance and prayers were known in antiquity. Theologically, they are thrice justified. Firstly, this is the day of the intercession of the church for the guilt of all believers before God. Further, the church must, on the day of repentance, fulfill its controlling function in relation to sins. And in conclusion, the days of repentance served for everyone to test their conscience before God. In Rome, for example, such days of universal repentance and prayer were supposed to avert the danger of disasters and wars.

In the Middle Ages, there were two types of days of repentance: some were prescribed by the authorities and celebrated as needed. Others, about three fast days at the beginning of each quarter of the year, stemmed from church regulations. Both categories were adopted and continued by the Protestant Church.

In 1532, as a reaction to the Turkish War, the first Protestant Day of Repentance and Prayer took place. From the 16th to the 17th centuries, different dates for the "Day of Repentance and Prayer" existed for different areas of Germany. In 1878, 47 Days of Repentance could be counted in 28 German states, celebrated on 24 different days. In 1983, in Prussia, at the initiative of the relevant state authorities, such diversity was eliminated and the holiday was appointed on the Wednesday before the last Sunday of the church year, as it is still celebrated today.

The essence of the day of repentance and prayer in those days was also often interpreted in different ways: either the people had to repent and pray, or the church authorities ordered to control and change their thinking and attitude towards God.

During the Second World War, the "Day of Repentance and Prayer" was moved to one of the Sundays and made in fact a special day off - to apply all one's strength to prayers for the war. After the end of the war, the Day of Repentance and Prayer was returned to its pre-war form. In the GDR, this was a day off until 1966, when a 5-day work week was introduced. In Germany, after the war, "Day of Repentance and Prayer" became a public holiday, except for Bavaria. In Bavaria, until 1981, it was considered a day off only in areas with a predominantly Protestant population. Only since 1981 has this day become a public holiday in Federal Germany. After the unification of Germany, the holiday was adopted by all the lands and remained a day off for another 4 years.

Then the government decided that from 1995 the Day of Repentance and Prayer would no longer be a holiday. This change was justified as the need to equalize the increased burden on employers, who are forced to pay the newly created compulsory insurance, by increasing the working hours of employees.

Now only in the land of Saxony "Day of Repentance and Prayer" is a public holiday. In other lands, every worker has the right to take a day off on a given day, justifying this with his religious duties. In addition, most schools and kindergartens are closed in Bavaria. All this is subject to much criticism. However, attempts to return the day off have not been successful so far.

But, despite the lack of a day off, the "Day of Repentance and Prayer" remains an important part of the Christian faith. Of course, regular worship services, as they used to be, are no longer held. However, the day before, short plays are staged in schools based on biblical stories related to repentance. And in the evening of this day, divine services are held in many parishes, where the people are called to return to God. At the same time, it is not only about the return of the spiritual. Actions and deeds must also be changed for the better. Thinking about what you have done helps you understand where you have been unfaithful to God. And repentance and prayers serve to hear the Word of God again, return to the true path and learn to do good. That is why prayer addressed to God should become an integral part of everyone's daily life.

November 22
Sunday in honor of the remembrance of the dead in Germany (date for 2015)
November is the last month of autumn - rainy, gloomy and dreary. This mood of nature also affects the mood of people. It is during this month that the dead are most often commemorated. On November 1 and 2, the Catholic Church commemorates all the saints, martyrs and departed...

November is the last month of autumn - rainy, gloomy and dreary. This mood of nature also affects the mood of people. It is during this month that the dead are most often commemorated. On November 1 and 2, the Catholic Church commemorates all the saints, martyrs and the departed, in mid-November the Day of National Sorrow (German: Volkstrauertag) is celebrated, and on one of the last Sundays of November, the Protestant Church celebrates a similar day.

On All Souls' Day (Totensonntag), the names of parishioners who died in the past year are announced during services, and relatives commemorate them in cemeteries with chants and prayers. The ringing of church bells on this day reminds everyone of the frailty of life.

There is nothing surprising in the fact that the last Sunday of the church year was chosen for this day. On the one hand, it is a sign of the end, of irreversibility. However, one week later, the light of the first Advent candle lights up again, which is a symbol of a new, beginning life. Thus, it is clearly emphasized that death is not the end of life.

The day begins in the 15th century. Initially, the reformers did not accept the Catholic All Saints' Day and did not create a similar one in the Protestant calendar of holidays, as they wanted to separate themselves from the unwanted cult of burials and the dead. In most Protestant parishes, commemoration of the dead was taboo until the early 19th century.

In 1816, the Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm III declared the last Sunday of the church year "the Day of Remembrance of those who died in the war of liberation against Napoleon." Gradually, many similar regional holidays united and joined this day. The Protestant Church adopted it and opposed it to the Catholic All Saints' Day.

December 6
Catholic Saint Nicholas Day
Saint Nikolaus Day is the first sign of the approaching Christmas. It has been celebrated in Germany since 1555. In old church records it says: "Before the day of St. Nikolaus, mothers keep gifts and rods ready for their children." ...

Saint Nikolaus Day is the first sign of the approaching Christmas. It has been celebrated in Germany since 1555.

In old church records it says: "Before the day of St. Nikolaus, mothers keep gifts and rods ready for their children."

In ancient times, Saint Nikolaus gave children nuts, dried fruits and sweet bread baked according to a special recipe with the addition of dried pears, clothes and other things necessary for daily life.

Also today, on the night of December 5th to 6th, German children put polished shoes or boots outside the door so that a passing saint puts apples, tangerines, nuts, sweets there.

True, St. Nikolaus brings tasty gifts only to obedient children, and those who annoyed their parents for a whole year and did not obey will receive a rod as a gift. Which of the children was obedient and which was not, Nikolaus reads in his special “golden book”.

An old German children's song goes:
"Saint Nikolaus, give me what you yourself wish,
Apples, nuts, almonds are readily eaten by small children...”.

December 24
Christmas Eve in Germany
Christmas Eve in Germany is celebrated on December 24th. On Christmas Eve in Christian families in Germany it is customary to give each other gifts. This custom is called "Bescherung" - gift giving. It takes place in the flickering of Christmas tree candles that are lit before or after ...

On Christmas Eve in Christian families in Germany it is customary to give each other gifts. This custom is called "Bescherung" - gift giving. It takes place in the flickering of Christmas tree candles, which are lit before or after the Christmas service. Christmas songs are heard, family members give gifts to each other.

Children are told a fairy tale that gifts were brought by Santa Claus or the baby Christ. Many families invite Santa to this evening, most often played by a student dressed in a matching costume.

On the first and second days of Christmas itself - December 25 and 26, which are days off - many go to church for a festive service or mass.

December 25
Christmas
Christmas is one of the most beautiful and favorite holidays in Germany, so the Germans prepare for it long and thoroughly. It was the Germans who gave the world the impractical, cheerful and bright custom of decorating the Christmas tree. Rather, one German - ...

Christmas is one of the most beautiful and favorite holidays in Germany, so the Germans prepare for it long and thoroughly.

It was the Germans who gave the world the impractical, cheerful and bright custom of decorating the Christmas tree. Or rather, one German - Martin Luther, the great Protestant and religious reformer.

Advent begins four weeks before Christmas. The first pre-Christmas service is held in the church, in which children very often also participate: they sing, play various musical instruments, show performances on Christmas themes. This evening, the Germans will light the first of four candles on the Advent spruce wreath.

Also, Christmas pastries are prepared ahead of time: gingerbread and adits. Stolen in the life of the Germans is of particular importance. The very form of sweet bread, abundantly stuffed with raisins, spices and nuts, resembles a swaddled child - Christ. Historians find it difficult to establish the author of the recipe and form. It is known that adits were baked in Saxony as early as 1300.

The aroma of the holiday is on the streets. About three weeks before Christmas, the Weihnachtsmarkt, the Christmas market, begins. Usually it is arranged on one of the central squares of the city. Rows of decorated tents and houses are lined up, in which there is nothing! Gingerbread and galleries, chocolate figurines and cotton candy, roasted almonds and sweet doughnuts. There are also all kinds of Christmas souvenirs: figurines of animals and fairy-tale people carved from wood, Christmas pyramids rotating from lit candles, glass balls and figurines “smoking” with aromatic candles. Well, what a German fair without fried sausages and gluvain!

In the center of the fair, a stage is being built where Christmas concerts take place. Here at the fair you can also meet the German Santa Claus, in order to tell you in secret again what gift you expect from him for Christmas.

The gifts will be brought under the Christmas tree by Weihnachtsmann on the evening of December 24th. Then, on the Holy evening on the eve of Christmas, the whole family will gather at the table.

Christmas is a family holiday, so on December 25 the whole family will gather for a festive dinner once again. This time on the table there will be a baked goose with klez and stewed cabbage. And the house will again be filled with an atmosphere of comfort, tranquility and magic...

December 26
Saint Stephen's Day
The second day of Christmas, December 26, is dedicated to the memory of the holy Protomartyr Stephen; the third day, December 27, is dedicated to the memory of the holy apostle and evangelist John the Theologian (on this day the rite of consecration of wine is performed); fourth day, December 28 - memory of ...

The second day of Christmas, December 26, is dedicated to the memory of the holy Protomartyr Stephen; the third day, December 27, is dedicated to the memory of the holy apostle and evangelist John the Theologian (on this day the rite of consecration of wine is performed); the fourth day, December 28, is the memory of the Holy Innocent Infants of Bethlehem (priests on this day give a special blessing to children).

On the Sunday that falls on one of the eight days of the celebration of Christmas (octave), or on December 30, if Sunday does not fall on these days, the feast of the Holy Family is celebrated: the Infant Jesus, the Virgin Mary and Joseph the Betrothed.

The celebration of Christmas ends on January 1, when the Day of the Most Holy Theotokos is celebrated with special solemnity.

EXPRESS CONSULTING

Germany is a country of stability and strict rules. The country, which survived the collapse and devastation, was once divided into parts, but proudly survived everything and is now practically a model state in terms of economy, infrastructure and politics. Today, many countries look up to Germany and take an example from her.

Germany is a country located in Central Europe. It borders on many European countries (Denmark, Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Luxembourg, France, Belgium and the Netherlands) and has access to two seas - the Baltic and the North. This country has a large number of rivers and lakes, as well as mountainous terrain, which makes it possible to call it one of the environmentally friendly countries. The Bavarian Alps alone are worth the great attention of people who strive for clean mountain air and nature that has not been touched by man.

The political structure allows the Germans to be proud of their country. Over the past 60 years, the government has well built the entire state system, which made it possible for the ordinary population to survive the economic crises that swept Europe in the early 90s of the 20th century and at the beginning of the 21st century without being noticed.

As for the Germans themselves, they are a hardworking people. This is a people who know that weekdays are for work, and holidays are for good rest. The Germans are a people who have fun and interestingly spend not only weekends, but also holidays, which are not so many in their calendar. A holiday for a German does not have to take place in the home circle. They love street noise, beer, dancing and fun. Many tourists, getting to a German holiday, may come to the conclusion that these Germans are not so strict and hardworking. But few tourists know that the Germans love to relax and know that there are holidays for this. If you celebrate a holiday, then do it with pleasure and fun.

If we compare German and Russian holidays, then here you can find quite a lot of differences. We are used to counting how many days off at the beginning of the year, and we are especially happy when the holiday falls on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday or Sunday. In this case, you can wait for an additional weekend. In addition, if you look at the Russian calendar, you can see that every day is some kind of holiday - professional or church.

In Germany, it's quite the opposite. Weekends are not added, days are not transferred, and the number of holidays is not that much. For example, if Christmas falls on a Sunday, then most likely the Germans will have to go to work the next day. In addition, due to the fragmentation of the territory and their subsequent reunification, each federal district formed its own holidays, especially in religious and historical terms.

All holidays in Germany can be conditionally divided into three categories - state, religious and folk. Public holidays apply throughout the country. For example, such holidays include May 1 - Labor Day. In principle, with these holidays, everything is clear. But with religious holidays, everything is much more complicated. Quite a lot of people of various faiths live in the country, but there are two main and large currents - Catholicism and Lutheranism. Depending on which denomination prevails in the federal land, those holidays are celebrated. For example, All Saints' Day is celebrated by Catholics, while Reformation Day is celebrated by Lutherans. There are holidays that are celebrated only in a certain city. For example, Peace Day is celebrated in the city of Augsburg in Bavaria. Church holidays, as in Russia, can have a fixed or floating date. The floating date is calculated according to the church calendar. Folk holidays include carnivals, festivals, etc. These are holidays that take place only on weekends, and their celebration is accompanied by folk festivals. For example, Oktoberfest, the Fifth Season or a completely young holiday, the Love Parade, can be attributed to folk holidays.

In Germany, the year begins with the celebration of the New Year, which is celebrated, like all over the world, on the night of December 31 to January 1. January 6 is the Catholic Epiphany, which is of great importance for the Christian inhabitants of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and Saxony-Anhalt. For Catholics, this day is also a holiday. They mark "". January is famous for another holiday, or rather a memorable date. On January 27, 1945, the prisoners of the Auschwitz concentration camp were liberated. Therefore, this day is Holocaust Remembrance Day.

In February, Germany plunges into the world of festivals and carnivals. It all starts with the world-famous Berlinale film festival. The film festival takes place every year in Berlin and has a floating opening date, i.e. the management independently determines the opening date of the Berlinale. Another famous folk festival takes place in Bremen. It is accompanied by music, dances and bright performances that are dedicated to the famous Brazilian dance - samba. The festival is called "Bremer Karneval" - the samba carnival. Catholics in Germany hold the Fastnacht or Fasching carnival in February. Large-scale festivities occur in Munich and Cologne. At the same time, they begin to prepare for the carnival in the month of November.

March is known for only one unique German holiday - the Leipzig Book Fair. This is the largest book fair in the world after Frankfurt.

April begins with the most fun and world-famous holiday - April Fool's Day or April Fool's Day. It is celebrated on April 1st. In the month of April, a number of great church holidays are celebrated, which have a floating date. Such holidays include Catholic Good Friday, Maundy Thursday and. These holidays are found in both the Catholic and Christian church calendars. Their dates do not coincide, but mostly fall in April and early May. These days are accompanied by Easter fairs, and on Easter Monday, the Germans visit relatives and friends, presenting them with gifts symbolizing Easter.

Germans celebrate Labor Day, which is accompanied by fun, dancing, singing and meeting with friends. May is celebrated on the second Sunday of the month. May is also known for such holidays as (May 10), the oldest Dixieland jazz festival in Dresden (floating date), Father's Day (floating date), the Jazz Rally music festival in Düsseldorf (floating date), the festival of gothic music and culture in Leipzig ( floating date).

The great church holidays of the Ascension of Christ and the Day of the Holy Spirit fall on different days. They can be observed both in May and in June. The Ascension of Christ takes place on the 40th day after Easter, and 9 days after it, the Day of the Holy Spirit is celebrated.

June starts with the Hamburg Short Film Festival, which lasts for a week. The Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ is celebrated on the second Thursday after the Day of the Holy Spirit. Often it falls on June days. Despite the fact that it is a public holiday, only in a few lands is it declared a public holiday.

In June and July, international festivals are held in Germany, which do not have a fixed date. These festivals include: the Bach Music Festival in Leipzig, dedicated to the great German composer Johann Sebastian Bach; Opera Festival in Munich; folk festival "Opernplatzfest" in Frankfurt am Main; Festival "Cologne Lights" - a fireworks festival, which is held in the city of Rhine.

On June 24, the Germans celebrate a church holiday - the Nativity of St. John the Baptist. St. John's Day. A feature of the holiday is the burning of a fire and everything connected with this process.

In August, all holidays are associated with a specific federal state. For example, August 8 is a public holiday, but only in one city. In Bavaria, the city of Augsburg celebrates City Day or Peace Day.

August 15 marks the Assumption of Mary, which is declared a day off only in some communities in Bavaria and in the federal state of Saarland.

In August, a significant and great cultural holiday in Europe is celebrated in Frankfurt am Main - a festival on the Museum Embankment.

September is famous for the beer festival - Oktoberfest. In the second half of September, Munich becomes a big beer bar where you can meet people from all over the world. The beer festival lasts 16 days.

October starts from (October 3). This day has great historical significance for all Germans, because in 1990 West and East Germany were reunited.

On the first Sunday in October, Catholic Germany celebrates Thanksgiving or in honor of the end of the harvest of agricultural products. On the third Sunday in October, Germany continues to honor farmers at the Kirmes in Germany festival. The festival is accompanied by fairs and festivities in honor of the harvest. Another festival takes place in Bremen called "Free Market". It lasts 17 days, and the date of the event is determined by the organizers of the celebration.

On the night of October 31 to November 1, the most mystical holiday, Halloween, is celebrated. November 1st is All Saints Day.

In October, a big Lutheran holiday is celebrated - Reformation Day. It is celebrated in Thuringia, Brandenburg, Meckelburg-Western Pomerania, Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt.

The month of November is famous in Germany for the following holidays: Fateful day (November 9), a special day in German history associated with the abdication of Wilhelm II from the throne and the suppression of the "beer putsch" in Munich; Saint Martin's Day (November 11) is a favorite holiday for children; Day of National Sorrow (floating date); Day of Repentance and Prayer (floating date) is celebrated by Protestants; All Souls' Day (floating date).

The month of November is accompanied by gray and rainy weather. Therefore, many holidays in Germany are not entertaining in nature, but are increasingly associated with saints, martyrs and the departed.

December is the last month of the year, which is accompanied by holidays associated with Christmas. On December 6, Catholics celebrate the day of St. Nikolaus and begin to prepare for Christmas. December 24 -, and December 25 -. December 26th is Saint Stephen's Day or the Second Day of Christmas. December 27 - Memorial Day of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian.

It is worth noting that in Germany on holidays, which are officially recognized as a day off, shops, public institutions (schools, kindergartens, municipalities, etc.) and services do not work. Gas stations and shops attached to them, on-duty pharmacies remain open, as well as emergency services, rescue services and doctors on duty in hospitals. On Christmas and New Year's Eve, everyone works until lunchtime, incl. the shops. Although many office workers will have a day off.

There are people in Germany who know that the holidays are made for fun. They know how to spend this or that holiday, no matter what day it falls on (weekend or weekday). Having been in this country, you begin to understand how to celebrate the holidays.