Easter Traditions in Germany

Edited by Madelyn Miller, the TravelLady

German Easter Markets all over Germany are wonderful way to rediscover traditions and rituals, and to prepare for the Easter holidays. Many of the American traditions as we know them, including egg decorating, Easter trees and Easter egg games, were brought to America by German immigrants.

The origins of the German Easter traditions are not certain but some say they can be traced back to payments in kind by peasants to their lords; others say it goes back to the pagan worship of the maiden-goddess of fertility, “Eastee,” or “Eastre,” “Eostre” or “Ostara” and the coming of spring. The egg and rabbit were symbols of fertility and new birth to the Germanic tribes. The Germanic tribes lit bonfires to welcome Spring, and in many towns today, men in towns and cities across Germany collect wood, sometimes old Christmas trees, and create piles for Easter night's (Saturday) celebration.

Parents give their children Easter eggs - colored and boiled eggs - Easter bunnies and other sweets. The children still hunt for eggs as they did in the 1500s. Real eggs that have been blown, painted and decorated are hung from the branches of an egg-tree. An inseparable part of the holiday is the Easter meal with an Easter cake in the shape of a lamb is enjoyed after the Lenten fast. In some villages people hold an Easter walk.

Throughout Germany, there are many beautiful Easter egg markets open on weekends. Local craftsmen display their decorated eggs and there are often other traditional Easter goodies on sale, including baskets, arts and crafts and bunnies. http://www.ostereier-maerkte.de (no English version available)

Easter Egg Market in Hameln, Lower Saxony
March 4-5, 2006
Beautiful Easter eggs of the region will be on display for sale and viewing.

Sorbs Easter Market, Bautzen in Saxony
March 11, 18, 19, 27
Colorful and traditional Easter eggs from the Sorbs will be on display with a special exhibit, “The Best Eggs of the past 50 Years.”

Easter Market in Nuremberg
March 31-April 17, 2006-02-24
About 80 Easter egg decorators are selling their self-made products on the traditional „Haeferlesmarkt”.

Easter Market in Castle Schwetzingen in Baden-Wuerttemberg
March 18-19, 2006
Fifty of the best Egg craftsman from seven nations present their newest creations. The beautiful atmosphere of the castle is the perfect place for these individual presentations.

Easter Eggs from Vogt, Sirgensteinhalle in Baden-Wuerttemberg
March 25-26
About 20 craftsman of this region show the different techniques to paint Easter ornaments on the eggs.

BEST WAY TO GET THERE

Every year, LTU carries more than 5.9 million passengers on its 24 red and white colored jet aircraft. More than 70 airports worldwide are served by LTU aircraft.
www.ltu.com or www.ltu-airways.com
toll free (866) 266-5588

BEST WAY TO GET AROUND IN GERMANY

Rail Europe's German Railpass
www.raileurope.com
1-888-382-7245.

GREAT THINGS ABOUT GERMANY

Cabs are surprisingly reasonable
You will find some of the best “wurst” or sausages in the world at street vendors
The variety of breads is remarkable

GREAT GUIDEBOOKS

Rick Steve’s Germany & Austria 2005
By Rick Steve’s
Avalon Travel Publishing
www.ricksteves.com

FROMMER’S GERMANY 2002
By Darwin Porter and Danforth Prince
WWW.frommers.com

GERMANY
EYEWITNESS TRAVELGUIDES
I love the picture format that shows you what other guides only tell you
WWW.dk.com

Romantik 2005
Romantik Hotels and Restaurants
info@ROMANTIKHOTELS.com
www.romantikhotels.com

Let’s Go Germany
www.letsgo.com
St. Martin’s Press
www.stmartin.com

Rick Steve’s
Europe Through the Back Door 2003
www.Ricksteves.com

Let’s Go Eastern Europe
www.letsgo.com
St. Martin’s Press
www.stmartin.com

How to Pronounce French, German and Italian Wine Names
By Dianna Bellucci
They also include a bonus of Austrian, Spanish and Portugese Wine Names
Luminosa Publishing
www.howtopronounce.com

Madelyn Miller is a writer and web entrepreneur who contributes to www.travellady.com, www.chocolateatlas.com, www.cocktailatlas.com, www.carladynews.com and www.todaysgooddeeds.com