Lantern parades on Sankt Martin's Day
Every year around November 11, crowds of preschool children parade through the dark streets carrying colorful,often homemade lanterns and singing St. Martin's and lantern songs. But what are these traditional lantern parades all about and who was St. Martin, who is commemorated on this day?to make it short,Martin was a Roman soldier who, according to legend, rode past a starving and freezing beggar on a cold winter's day and divided his warm cloak with his sword to give one half to the beggar.Later, the people asked him to become their bishop. However,humble Martin did not consider himself worthy of the office and - according to tradition - hid in a goose house. However, the cackling birds betrayed him and he was consecrated bishop after all,which is why he is also commemorated with roast goose, especially in Catholic regions.
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