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➤ by Oma Gerhild Fulson
Pfingsten (Pentecost) is a public holiday in Germany. Weekend festivals and picnics are the way to celebrate. This is a two-day holiday that is celebrated seven weeks after Easter.
For example, in 2010 it was May 23-24, in 2012 it was May 27-28, in 2014 it was June 8-9, in 2017 it was June 4-5 and in 2020 it was May 31-June 1. It is also called Whit Sunday and Whit Monday.
Throughout Germany, the celebrations take on many forms.
Often these are candlelit processions.
First and foremost, this is a Christian celebration that remembers the Holy Spirit being poured out upon the followers of Jesus.
Huge parades with horses and bands are held in Eastern Bavaria. The medieval towns of Rothenburg and Schwaebisch Hall have elaborate festivals. Frankfurt's festival is celebrated in the woods.
Pfingstbaumpflanzen (wreaths) decorate birch trees in Lower Saxony. Because the birch tree is just starting to leaf, tradition has single women finding a birch branch nailed to their side of the house from their secret admirer.
Here's Oma's collection of German favorites in Easter Feast e-Cookbook. Grab your copy today!
Take a peek at all Oma's eCookbooks. They make sharing your German heritage a delicious adventure!
In North Rhine-Westphalia, large wreaths (Pfingstenkranz) are placed in the town squares. These wreath structures are about 30 feet high. Around these the townsfolk dance and sing traditional songs .
In Southern Germany, the tradition in the rural mountain villages is to decorate the prize cattle and lead them through the streets.
Since it is in late spring, the weather is usually warm.
This makes picnics the ideal treat.
So if you live in a part of the world where spring occurs the same time as it does in Germany, then go ahead, celebrate it this way as well.
Pull out your picnic menus -- and enjoy the great outdoors!
Pop right over to my private Facebook group, the Kaffeeklatschers. You'll find thousands of German foodies, all eager to help and to talk about all things German, especially these yummy foods.
I pop in all the time as well, to chat and to answer questions.
Meet with us around Oma's table, pull up a chair, grab a coffee and a piece of Apfelstrudel, and enjoy the visit.
These roasted Brussels spouts with balsamic vinegar and maple syrup are so quick and easy to prepare, yet so delicious! This may just be your new favorite go-to recipe for roasted FROZEN Brussels spro…
Love German cabbage rolls? You'll absolutely love Oma's unstuffed cabbage roll casserole. Same great taste, but a LOT less work. No rice or tomatoes here. Just real German goodness.
THE German Krapfen or jelly donut recipe you'll need if you plan to make Berliner Pfannkuchen ~ that traditional treat for New Year's and throughout the year!
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"But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth."
Acts 1:8 (AMP)