Laternelaufen 2010
November 13th, 2010 by ninja
This is our second time participating in the annual St. Martin’s Day Celebration in Prospect Park. The weather was decidedly better than last year, and the kids had a great time. We bumped into a bunch of friends (Lily pictured here), sang the songs generations of German kids grew up with, walked a bit through Prospect Park, and watched the re-enactment of St. Martin’s legendary good deed (he cut his coat in half, and gave one piece to a beggar to save his life during a snow storm).
Posted in Daily Musings, Photos
cynthia responded on November 15th, 2010 at 12:46 pm
Reenactment comes with real horse, WOW!
ninja responded on November 15th, 2010 at 1:25 pm
Yes, they go all out. The German parent community in Brooklyn is pretty big, and this particular celebration even draws families from Manhattan. There are easily 150+ people walking through Prospect Park with lanterns. The only thing missing was the quintessential marching band, leading the procession. In my hometown, the voluntary fire fighters would supply both musicians and fire safety, because back in the days, everybody used real candles. There were always a few lanterns going up in flames, and the corresponding kids breaking down in tears. Nobody ever got hurt though.
jeeun responded on November 16th, 2010 at 5:33 am
I still use the real candles that I bought in Germany in 2003 on the xmas tree…risky but so beautiful.