Our annual Sankt Martin celebrations took place 8 November 2013. The play was a huge success.
Rehearsals have been going on all week and our students were looking forward to it. We would like to thank all teachers in Kindergarten and Primary School, especially Ms Annette Black, Ms Mirja Braun, Ms Anne Thielmans and Ms Barbara Davitt, for the help in preparing. Thank You also to the parent Mr Kai Zimmermann who supports us with his technical skills for light and sound.
Thank you again for all the support in helping create the wonderful atmosphere in the gym and for ensuring such a memorable evening for the children.
St. Martin was known as a friend of children and patron of the poor. This holiday originated in France, then spread to Germany, Scandinavia, and Eastern Europe. It celebrates the end of the agrarian year and the beginning of the harvesting. The nights before and on the night of Nov. 11, children walk in processions carrying lanterns, which they make in school, and sing Martin songs. Usually, the walk starts at a church and goes to a public square. A man on horseback dressed as St. Martin accompanies the children. When they reach the square, Martin’s bonfire is lit and Martin’s pretzels are distributed. The origin of the procession of lanterns is unclear. To some, it is a substitute for the St. Martin bonfire, which is still lit in a few cities and villages throughout Europe. It formerly symbolized the light that holiness brings to the darkness, just as St. Martin brought a hope to the poor through his good deeds.
