November 11, 2011 was my first St. Martins Day in Berlin, Germany (and of course Alani’s). Traditionally there is a horse rider dressed up as a Roman Soldier that children holding lanterns follow around singing songs. At the end of the walk everyone enjoys pretzels. Afterwards families and friends also have a wonderful meal of roast goose.
So why all the celebration?? According to the story St. Martin, who was a Roman Soldier, cut is cloak in half and gave one half to a beggar in a snow storm. A while after this event he had a dream where Jesus spoke to him and thanked him for keeping him warm when He was cold. St. Martin was so moved by this that he was baptized and became Christian. A later story from his life (and the reason for eating goose perhaps?) was that he hid in a barn of geese when the local villagers were trying to find him and make him a bishop. Apparently the geese gave away his location and he was found and made bishop after all.
Since I work in a Kita (preschool) we had to help the children make their lanterns for St. Martins Day. This is a really fun process that the kids are excited about for a couple weeks before the big day. The lanterns are traditionally made out of paper and lit with a candle; and since my co-teacher is a traditional German kind of girl we made our lanterns the old fashioned way. I have to admit I was a bit nervous about the idea, especially since we have 11 super-active boys in our class. They did a great job though and were very carful with their lanterns.
Alani’s class also made lanterns, although battery powered lights. Alani was very proud of her lantern that she colored, but refused to carry it. Consequently Valentin ended up carrying her and the lantern for most of the walk. Lantern I did take a picture of the lantern. I also tried to get Alani to hold it for a picture, but the best I could get was her kicking it. However, it has been sitting on the table and every time she sees it she points and says “Alani’s Lantern” very proudly.
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