Traditions and everyday life in GermanyFestivals, family customs, favourite places and everyday traditions, written by members of Global Penfriends who live in Germany. Each cultural keepsake is a short note about life where they are.
206 keepsakes from Germany · page 3 of 7
The Oktoberfest started in 1810 in Munich, Germany, as a big celebration for the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese. People had horse races, music and plenty of beer, and it was such a good time that they decided…
Shared by th3ashy
When family and/or friends come together in the afternoon to eat cake and drink coffee (or tea or cocoa). My family does this on birthdays, holidays, celebrations, special events or random Sundays without a certain occasion when…
Shared by dahlia108
At a German Christmas market, I love sipping on warm mulled wine (Glühwein) while strolling through the charming stalls decorated with festive lights. The smell of roasted chestnuts and gingerbread fills the air, and I enjoy…
Shared by Arabellad
The name of jelly doughnuts is often debated in Germany, because depending on the region you come from, they are called differently. The funny thing is that in many regions of Germany they are called “Berliner,” while in Berlin…
Shared by Branko
The custom of the Easter wells originates from Franconia, but for quite some time has also been practiced in other places like Oettingen from which I will upload a picture. Custom had it that the male members of society cleaned…
Shared by Margitta
I was born in the middle of Germany in a landscape called "Weserbergland". The Weser is a river arises near my hometown and than goes up to Bremen. At the beginning the Weser is not that broad and big, but wanders through…
Shared by Apricot Jules
Every summer my university organizes an amazing festival! There are always plenty of stages with different kinds of music. It is always a very fun time to party with your friends all day at campus, where on every other normal day…
Shared by linomon
So in my family we´ve this kinda wishlist with things that someone in the family wants to do . The list is for the whole world, for example, Travel to france and order a crepe there {yeah that was my wish}. But it´s also a good…
Shared by siriusblack
In my place there is a old Castle. it was build in 1690. throu the centurys, it has had a lot off different owners. In 1819 it became a tobacco company until 1929. in the 2 world war it was totaly destroyed, but reconstructiot by…
Shared by Tante Tin
The town Warnemünde has a tradition once a year called "Warnminner Ümgang". Locals are dressing up in traditional clothings typical for this area in former times. They walk through the former fishingvillage and you can learn a…
Shared by PeKat
This is the New Palace in Potsdam (Brandenburg) — one of my favourite places to walk past. It is huge and impressive, but what I like most is the quiet around it: the long paths, the trees, the sense of history sitting there…
Shared by SecretCoffeeStash
who doesnt love Christmas? i think most of us love that event . Expecially here in Germany , we can find lots of Weinachtsmarkt ( Chrismast market ) . every city have their own Christmas market . and the most well known thing is…
Shared by eRuRe
Christmas market or Weihnachtsmarkt transform towns into winter wonderlands filled with festive lights, charming stalls, and the warm scent of roasted chestnuts. You can find handmade crafts, delicious treats, and seasonal…
Shared by DreamingPoet
I love experiencing the seasons in Germany. In summer everything seems full of life: flowers bloom, fruits and vegetables can be harvested. In fall the leaves change colors and forests look magical. In winter there is snowy…
Shared by Amelie...
It's a very german thing to do, to go for a walk with the whole familiy during familiy gatherings or just with your immediate family. Mostly we take these shortly after lunch, right before 3p.m. (Kaffee und Kuchen or teatime) or…
Shared by ArwenOle
The Alster lake is a lake right in the city centre of Hamburg. In the summer time, the lake is full of people sailing, rowing, kayaking, pedal boating and stand-up paddling. It is a very popular walking and running track to…
Shared by dominik0520
I want to tell you about the Bavarian forests. Our nature is wonderful and in my country, you can still find a lot of very quiet places. Above all, in a forest, for example here in Franconian woods. Sometimes I just stand in the…
Shared by QiFlower
In Germany we have a traditional festival called "Oktoberfest" , which is celebrated in Austria as well. Femals wear a traditional dress called "Dirndl" and the males wear "Trachten". Especally in Bavaria and Vienna, the…
Shared by Effysfantasies
The town I live in is Krefeld. Krefeld is a city in western Germany, located in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia near the Rhine River. It often gets a bad reputation , but if you find the right spots its a beautiful town…
Shared by Zoe149
The "Heider Kunsttour" is a little activity in our village which takes place every two years. On the tour are many people who shows their arts or other self-made things which you also can buy. You can eat something like cake…
Shared by nala_2203
Our Franconian dialect is a very special one and it is different to the Bavarian dialect. We have many funny words to discribe something and sometimes one dialect word means three different things.We can also understand the…
Shared by Petula_2
A tradition in which a group or town comes together on the night of April 30th to May 1st, in which there is dance around a great fire. The tradition is said to be used to appease the witches of the Blocksberg mountain in…
Shared by Philip Schoenenberg
The Christmas market starts at the end of November and ends a few days before Christmas. The one in my town has an ice skating rink but typically the market includes stands with vendors selling christmas trinkets and toys. Also…
Shared by jeffbuckleylover
Chrismas Markets are always around the advent season. Typically there are chrismas decorations sold like candles, christmas tree balls, handmade knitted and crocheted goods or other handmaded things. The typical drink is mulled…
Shared by lillsk
Germany has a beautyful countryside. we have pretty much every landscape. We have mountains with Lakes, flat land with thousands of cows, sheeps and horses roaming them. Even our citys are beautiful, for example: Lübeck. In my…
Shared by ItsMills
It is a swimclub which is open both for people who want to swim or play waterpolo or do triathlon in a competion and also to those who just want to spend a nice time, relax by the water and meet friends. There are also…
Shared by Astrid170267
This is one of many parks in Berlin, but probably not as known. It is beautiful in every season and you can go for walks (alone, with friends or family or your dog). It has many different paths to choose and hides a lot of…
Shared by Ness_96
Even though we live in a big city, we walk into the forest any chance we get, mostly on the weekends. And we are always on the lookout for gifts from nature we can use to craft things, and of course, for the spirits and fae that…
Shared by Vintagepoesie
In Hessen, the production of apple wine is widespread. There are many small local cider presses where people can bring their own apples. The *Bembel* is a gray stone jug painted with blue patterns, from which the apple wine is…
Shared by MoonRacoon
The Osterräderlauf is a Westfalian tradition which happens once a year in the night of the Holy Saturday. The Osterräder are wooden wheels filled with dry weed. When its dark the 6 wheels, which are around 170cm tall, are set on…
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