Mai
Der Erste Mai / Tag der Arbeit May Day
1. Mai May 1
May Day is an ancient festival to welcome the spring weather and to drive away evil spirits. It is also an occasion to campaign for and celebrate workers rights, particularly in Berlin. May 1 is a public holiday in all German states.
Other people spend some time outdoors enjoying the spring weather on May Day. If this holiday falls close to Ascension Day or the Pentecost weekend, many people take a portion of their annual leave and go on a short vacation in Germany or a neighboring country.
In Austria and many parts of Germany, especially in Bavaria, the tradition of raising a Maypole (Maibaum) on May 1 still serves to welcome spring—as it has since ancient times. Similar Maypole festivities also can be found in England, Finland, Sweden, and the Czech Republic.
Sources and for more information:
http://german.about.com/od/holidaysfolkcustoms/a/mai.htm
http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/germany/may-day
http://www.bavaria.by/maypole-day-in-bavaria-germany
Videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNAK1YM4op8
http://youtu.be/F2LrfYkvihc
1. Mai May 1
May Day is an ancient festival to welcome the spring weather and to drive away evil spirits. It is also an occasion to campaign for and celebrate workers rights, particularly in Berlin. May 1 is a public holiday in all German states.
Other people spend some time outdoors enjoying the spring weather on May Day. If this holiday falls close to Ascension Day or the Pentecost weekend, many people take a portion of their annual leave and go on a short vacation in Germany or a neighboring country.
In Austria and many parts of Germany, especially in Bavaria, the tradition of raising a Maypole (Maibaum) on May 1 still serves to welcome spring—as it has since ancient times. Similar Maypole festivities also can be found in England, Finland, Sweden, and the Czech Republic.
Sources and for more information:
http://german.about.com/od/holidaysfolkcustoms/a/mai.htm
http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/germany/may-day
http://www.bavaria.by/maypole-day-in-bavaria-germany
Videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNAK1YM4op8
http://youtu.be/F2LrfYkvihc
Christi Himmelfahrt Ascension Day
+ 50 Tage nach Ostern 50 days after Easter
Ascension Day is a public holiday in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It always falls on a Thursday. Christians attend special church services on Ascension Day to celebrate Jesus' ascension into heaven. In some rural Catholic areas, a procession (Oeschprozession,Flurprozession) of religious banners is held in the fields around the villages. Four different Bible texts are read at four 'stations' during these processions. This is also Father’s Day, when fathers traditionally go out on day trips or pub crawls.
Sources and for more information:
http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/germany/ascension
http://www.officeholidays.com/countries/europe/ascension_day.php
+ 50 Tage nach Ostern 50 days after Easter
Ascension Day is a public holiday in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It always falls on a Thursday. Christians attend special church services on Ascension Day to celebrate Jesus' ascension into heaven. In some rural Catholic areas, a procession (Oeschprozession,Flurprozession) of religious banners is held in the fields around the villages. Four different Bible texts are read at four 'stations' during these processions. This is also Father’s Day, when fathers traditionally go out on day trips or pub crawls.
Sources and for more information:
http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/germany/ascension
http://www.officeholidays.com/countries/europe/ascension_day.php
Muttertag Mother's Day
2. Sonntag 2nd Sunday
On Mother’s Day, children of all ages give their mothers small gifts, cards, or flowers.
**In Germany, if Mother's Day happens to fall on Pfingstsonntag (Pentecost), the date changes to the first Sunday in May.
Source and other information:
http://german.about.com/od/holidaysfolkcustoms/a/muttertag.htm
2. Sonntag 2nd Sunday
On Mother’s Day, children of all ages give their mothers small gifts, cards, or flowers.
**In Germany, if Mother's Day happens to fall on Pfingstsonntag (Pentecost), the date changes to the first Sunday in May.
Source and other information:
http://german.about.com/od/holidaysfolkcustoms/a/muttertag.htm
Source and other information:
https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/germany/pentecost-monday
https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/germany/pentecost-monday
Source and other information:
https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/germany/corpus-christi
https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/germany/corpus-christi
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