12/11/2022
β¨ On and around 11 November many Germans mark Saint Martinβs Day with lantern processions, bonfires, roast goose and other treats. This day celebrates the Roman soldier turned saint who, according to the legend, gave his coat to a beggar freezing in the cold.
The most iconic tradition is a lantern procession, for which children make their own paper lanterns in schools, churches or at home. After the sun sets, young and old come together to walk through town and sing songs carrying their colourful lanterns.
Legend has it that Martin had a special relationship to geese, who either interrupted his sermon or gave him away when he hid among them. Whichever way the story goes, the geese were roasted, and to this day the traditional St Martinβs Day dish is Martinsgans (St Martinβs goose).