Bristol Hannover Council
Keeping the Martinstag tradition alive in Bristol
** November 11 is St Martin’s Day in Germany. This day celebrates the Roman soldier turned saint who was such a good guy that he gave half his coat to a beggar during a snowstorm.
The most iconic tradition in Germany is a lantern procession, for which children make their own paper lanterns in school. After the sun sets, young and old come together to walk through town and sing songs carrying their colourful lanterns.
It was my great honour and pleasure once again to represent the holy Saint Martin at the lantern procession organised by the German Saturday School Bristol.
Martinstag has always been a special day for me. I grew up with it in Germany and I always loved it. So when I left Germany and moved to the UK, it felt like something was missing. I am so glad that German Saturday Schools throughout the UK celebrate this special day and happy that I could play a small part of it.
KAI VON PAHLEN
Hon. Consul and committee member of the Bristol-Hannover Council
Photo: @Cappel Photography
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