Traditionalists have argued for years over whether they should celebrate Halloween in Germany. In fact, a recent poll shows that 48% of Germans over the age of 35 feel that it displaces German Culture, and many more Germans feel that it is too commercial. But most Germans under 35 have embraced the celebration with open arms, which means it’s probably…
Author: karenanne
Three Cages in Münster Germany -What was the Anabaptist Rebellion?
One of the more notorious memories of my childhood is the cages in Münster, Germany. Three of them hang from the spire of the St Lamberti church and are visible from all corners of the city, but they also appear in my family’s photo albums. Every time we visited Germany, we would take that photo, the long view down the…
The History of German Christmas Markets- A German Holiday Tradition
Every year, Christmas Markets pop up across Germany at the beginning of the Advent Season, signaling the approach of the Christmas Holidays. Christmas Markets began centuries ago, when regular markets were extended by a few extra days to make the cold season a little more cheerful for chilly Villagers. Goods were probably laid out on the streets or on…
German American Day- A Celebration of German Contributions to America
October 6 is German American Day in the United States. But what is German American Day? Why do we celebrate it? What is the history of this celebration? And what is the significance of October 6? German American Day has been officially part of the National Calendar since 1987, when Ronald Reagan signed Proclamation 5719, declaring October 6 to be…
The Gingerbread for Liberty Book- The Story of a German American Hero during the Revolution
Gingerbread for Liberty!: How a German Baker Helped Win the American Revolution Gingerbread for Liberty, a beautifully illustrated children’s book by Mara Rockliff, is based on the true story of Christopher Ludwich, a German Baker who arrived in America as a young man. Ludwich was known for his delicious Gingerbread and his motto, “No one goes hungry if I can…
What is Erntedankfest? A German Thanks for the Harvest
Most countries worldwide set aside time to give thanks or celebrate a harvest. In the United States and Canada, it is called Thanksgiving; in Swaziland, it’s known as Incwala, in Argentina, there is the Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia, and in Germany, the people celebrate Erntedankfest. But what is Erntedankfest? Does the whole family come together? Do they eat Turkey…
How is the German Chancellor Elected?
The German election system may be confusing for people who live outside Germany. Just how is the German Chancellor elected? I will do my best to explain concisely and help you understand how their system works. For the record, I am not endorsing any German political party; this is just an informational article to help people get a handle on a…
Why YOU should Visit Schleswig Holstein – So MUCH to See and Do
The rather exotic-sounding Schleswig-Holstein is one of those places that, if you have heard of it at all, you are not quite sure where it is. (Actually, for most non-German speakers the name is quite a mouthful… lots of “sch” sounds.) So, where is Schleswig Holstein? It’s Germany’s northernmost area, bordering the Baltic Sea AND the North Sea… as well as…
Easy and Delicious German Sour Cherry Cake Recipe
This German Sour Cherry Cake is one of the first cakes I learned to bake in my Oma’s kitchen. It’s a fairly simple cake to bake, with no special tricks or techniques, no frosting, and no decoration other than a dusting of powdered sugar. The German name for this recipe is “Apfel oder Kirschkuchen, sehr fein “(Apple or Cherry Cake,…