October 3rd

The Day of the German Unity


On the 3^rd of October we celebrate the day of the German Unity. Since 1990 Germany is united as the BRD. Before 1990 Germany was split in the DDR and the BRD. So on the 3^rd October we celebrate that our country isn`t split anymore.

On this day everybody doesn`t have to go to school or to work. We don`t really celebrate it with special traditions. Some families are going out to eat in restaurants, but it`s depending on each family. There are 16 states. Every year another one of them is in charge to host the official celebration. In 2018 it had been Berlin. There was a huge party for the public with concerts etc. for three days.

Results of interviews with grandparents in Babenhausen about traditions

1. Do you think the traditions have changed?    

•          A tradition that has changed is no longer a tradition. Maybe you should say that fewer people are interested in traditions.
  
• They have changed a lot.
• Many traditions have changed or evolved.

Many of the interviewees think that the traditions have changed a lot or have developed anew. The general interest in traditions has also decreased.


2. If so, which ones? And in what way?
      

•            Halloween is not a German tradition, but very popular with young people. On the other hand, Walpurgis Night is hardly known anymore.
• Christmas: It used to be a celebration where you pay tribute to God and Jesus - today most people are only interested in gifts.
• In the past, people often met in a restaurant to spend their time.
• In the past, people met from time to time in the "Alte Post".
• Everything becomes more modern. The young people hardly go to the pub to meet and do not help in the country or milk the cows.
• Back then, people always met in pubs.

Most often it was mentioned that the pub culture was lost - in former times one had met much more often in pubs to talk.  The meaning of Christmas becomes according to opinion of the asked ones also ever less important, usually it concerns only gifts. Other traditions are becoming more modern.


3. Which traditions have changed the most?

•          It is rather the traditions that have to do with family life. In the past, three to four generations lived in the same house, but today nobody wants to look after the elderly anymore.
• Nobody knows each other any more in the village - in the past everyone could know each other by name.
• You hardly know your neighbours - you used to know everyone.
•  Christmas has changed a lot and so have the acquaintances in the village.

Most of all, Christmas has changed and above all, that you no longer know your neighbours or the village. The relationships between the people have become more informal.


4 Do you like the changes?

•          Changes are normal and belong to further development. Sometimes you have to part with old traditions.
• I don't like the new traditions very much.
• I don't like them - it used to be better.

Most people don't like the changes, they say earlier everything was better. Some also think that changes are normal and have both good sides.


5) In which countries have they changed the most?

•          In those countries where prosperity is very high.
• In Turkey. Eid is no longer a family celebration.

6. Do you have family traditions? Which ones?

•          Christmas is celebrated with the whole family. We take turns with the organization of the celebration.
• At Christmas the gifts are always opened at 18:15.
• Yes, the family dinner on my grandfather's birthday.
• Every Christmas there is a big feast. They are all together.
• On all holidays the family meets and all are together.
• Christmas we all go to church together.
•  Eid is the tradition of our family.

Christmas is celebrated with the whole family and you go to church together, on holidays and birthdays there are family reunions.

7. Do you think that traditions will change in the future?

•          The traditions will change as time passes.
• They will certainly change through the many new people.
• Probably they will change through new traditions.
• Yes, if they change now, they will also change in the future.

The traditions will probably change over time. As new people move to Germany, new cultures and new traditions come to Germany.


8. Do you think that a few traditions are unnecessary? Which ones?

•          Those who have not grown up with traditions can more easily do without unknown traditions.
• Yes, Valentine's Day is just moneymaking.
• Carnival
• Oktoberfest and Halloween
• There are no unnecessary traditions.

The opinion if and which traditions are necessary or unnecessary is very different. Some say that no tradition is unnecessary, because every tradition has a meaning for you. Others say that they can do without traditions such as Halloween, carnival, Oktoberfest and Valentine's Day as well as traditions that reduce family cohesion or stop the development of the country.


9. Can you identify traditions that did not exist in your youth?


Not everyone can name traditions that did not exist in their youth. Those who name some mention Halloween and Black Friday.

An interview with my grandfather about traditions

What are traditions?

In the words of my grandfather, he's 72 years old:

Tradition: To receive something that has existed for a long time and was and is lived by many people. Traditions begin with the transmission of experiences and developments. Good and bad experiences can be conveyed. The "good" ones are taken over because they are beneficial, the "bad" ones are conveyed in the expectation that mistakes made will not be repeated.

My grandfather answered my questions as written here:

1. Do you think the traditions have changed?

Yes, I think so because the role of the family in general has changed. The fast-moving times, the demands of daily life and work place higher demands on family schedules. Of course there are exceptions. One such exception is my family. Despite a lot of work, my parents have time for me (the interviewer). We live traditions by organizing family meetings, spend Christmas together, do something with my grandparents and help them when help is needed. That's what I mean by family tradition today.

2. If so, what is it? And in what way?

From my point of view, the traditions that have changed most are those that require a lot of time and money to maintain. This can be seen very clearly from country to country. Family traditions are still very strong in the Eastern European countries. The "head of the family is the man". He sometimes appears like a "Pasha". Or that a man can have several wives, or that adult men can marry children from a certain age. I think it's good that such "traditions" don't exist in Germany because our laws forbid them.

Or the tradition in our country that handicraft businesses such as bakers, butchers, carpenters, innkeepers are no longer passed on within the family is not so good. Because it can be seen that more and more craft businesses in the countryside and cities are disappearing, the master craftsman is partly "extinct". The large retail chains and construction companies dominate the market and I don't like that very much. With the loss of handicraft businesses, jobs are also lost. I don't think that's a good thing either, because this development could lead to more unemployed people.

3. Which traditions have changed the most?

•  Family traditions
• Traditions of the continuation of family businesses, no matter whether large or small, as for example in craft businesses.
• Non-profit organizations such as volunteer fire brigades, technical relief organizations find less supporters.

 4. Do you like change?

Yes, changes are very important. No matter how old you are. Changes determine life. But, I only support those changes that are important and good for our country and my family. I reject changes that harm our development. I don't think it's good that Germany's "Pisa Studies" have fallen further in comparison with other countries. I don't like the fact that so much can be repaired in schools and that so many lessons are cancelled. I don't think it's good that our roads and motorways are so broken. I don't like the fact that there is so much crime and so few policemen.

5. In which countries have they changed the most?

- In terms of traditions, I would mention Dubai first. There they adjust to European living conditions. You can see that every day on the streets and in the shopping centres.

- Next I would name all European states that once existed in the "EEC" area. EWG = European Economic Community, until 1989/1990.
- Especially Germany's traditions have changed like the tradition of the German language and also the value of German culture in general.

6. Do you have family traditions? Which ones?

- Yes, according to our possibilities (age and income as a pensioner).
- We invite to family reunions or give suggestions.
- We help financially and ideally when our help is needed.
- We don’t let anyone dispute us our traditional holidays or commemoration days and live these, like Easter-Christmas and still some more.
- We cultivate homeland love by volunteering in our community, as long as our age and state of health allows it.

7. Do you think that traditions will change more in the future?

- Yes, I think so. Because time in daily life will become more and more tense and hectic. The fear for the workplace will take over. This leaves less time to cultivate traditions. Excluded are the traditions that people can afford who have the necessary money.

- In Germany, many people who have lived other traditions in their home countries will also change the old traditions in our homeland. This can be positive, but also negative. Our Christian traditions, such as Easter, Whitsun and Christmas, should be cultivated and defended against all other views.

8. Do you think that some traditions are unnecessary? Which ones?

- Yes, I do. I don't need traditions that are against family cohesion.
- Nor do I need traditions that are directed against the development of our country.

9. Can you identify traditions that did not exist in your youth?

- Yes, I can.
- Turning away from our classical German language.
- Turning away from the importance and responsibility of our teachers.
- Changing respect and esteem for the older generation.
- A departure from respect for the police officers who are jointly responsible for our security.
- Increasingly turning away from the obligation to perform daily tasks, such as going to school, completing apprenticeships or studies, at home supporting parents and siblings when help is needed.
- Help those who really need help. Do not give help to those who only want to live at the expense of others, e.g. if they do not have a regular job, although there is one.

Mother’s Day

What is Mother’s Day?

Mother’s Day is a day to celebrate mothers.  Usually, mothers receive a day off of work, little presents such as flowers from their family, and a nice breakfast in bed.

Where does Mother’s Day come from?

The ancient Greeks originally celebrated Mother’s Day to honor the Goddess Hera, the mother of Zeus.  While this tradition died out with the fall of the Greek Empire, it was carried on in other cultures.

Although it is not evident that this Greek tradition made it all the way to England, in the 13^th century, “Mothering Day” was introduced into England by Heinrich III.  On this day, all Christians went to Church with their family and commemorated the “Mother Church”.  At the beginning of the 19^th century, Napoleon planned to found another form of Mother’s Day in France, but never followed through.

The Mother’s Day that we celebrate today comes from America, specifically from Julia Ward Howe, a famous woman’s rights activist.  Howe founded Mother’s Day to honor the hard work that Mother’s do, but that goes by unnoticed. Anna Jarvis (also a feminist) prevailed with the proposal in 1914 and chose the anniversary of her own mother's death (9 May) as the date.

How important is Mother’s Day?

For many mother’s, is mother’s day not really a big deal.  Flowers and breakfast in bed is nice, but Mother’s Day has become more a day about being together as a family than anything else. 

Where and when is Mother’s Day celebrated?

Mother’s Day is actually celebrated all over the world, only on different dates:

·         Great Britain: 4^th day of lent

·         Lithuania, Hungary, Portugal, South Africa, Spain: 1^st Sunday in May

·         Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brasil, Denmark, Finland, Italy, USA, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, Taiwan, Turkey: 2nd Sunday in May

·         Most of South and Central America, Mexico, Bahrain, China, India, Malaysia, Oman, Pakistan, Katar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates: May 10^th

·         Poland: May 26^th

·         France and Sweden: Last Sunday in May

·         Norway: 1^st Sunday in February

·         Albania: March 8^th

·         Libanon: 1^st Day of Spring

·         Thailand: August 12^th

·         Costa Rica: August 15^th

·         Argentinia: 2^nd Sunday in October

The first of May

History (general and in Germany)

In the year 1888 were many demonstrations and strikes in Australia and America (USA). It was because of assertion of the 8 hours workday. During these demonstrations many people got hurt and even some died. In remembrance of the victims the first of May became the day of action of the labor movement, this was in 1889. In 1890 the first of May was committed by crowd demonstrations and strikes the first time.
In Germany the “Erster Mai” was adjudged by national socialists to a regular holiday in 1933. Today there are still many demonstrations on the first of May in Germany. For example left-wing extremists organize yearly demonstrations and celebrations in Berlin-Kreuzberg to remember the 1^st of May in 1987. On this day there were really big excesses because of a boycott of a planned census. Mostly on this demos are big affrays and riots, the police has big problems. So you see that the first of May isn’t a religious holiday.


The Name
In the USA they celebrate the ‘Labor Day’ on the first Monday of September.
In Germany the First of May has many different names, for example Tag der Arbeit (day of work), Internationaler Kampftag der Arbeitsklasse  (International fighting day of the working class) or Maifeiertag (May holiday).


Customs in Germany
In Germany exist many customs on the first of May. The custom of setting up a May tree (Maibaum) doesn’t deal with the day of work (‘Labor Day’) but it is celebrated on the first of May too. In cities the setting up a May tree is mostly celebrated with a city festival.  The tree is set up on the market square or village square. This tree is an ancient and even prechristian symbol of fertility.
There is another smaller form of May trees the ‘Maien’ or ‘Liebesmaien’. Those are brought from young men to the houses of their fancy women, this shall be a proof for their love. This custom is more celebrated in the North or East of Germany.
Another custom in Germany is the First-of-May-Tour. People go for a walk or hike in groups and while they are walking they drink much alcohol. The aim of this tour is mostly an economy in what you can sit outside or traditional May - or city festivals. Here, regional festivals take place for example in Schaafheim, Mosbach and Schlierbach (neighboring towns to Babenhausen). Mostly they are celebrated in sports clubs.
In many cities are parties on the 30 of April on which you can ‘dance into the May’. You call them ‘Tanz in den Mai’. The provenance of this party is the Walpurgis Night or night of the witches. It’s a legend what tells that witches celebrated a party on the Blocksberg during that night.                                                                   written by Franziska Lindt

Carnival in Babenhausen

There is a local carnival club in Babenhausen called Carnevalverein Babenhausen (CVB). It was refounded in 1958

The roots go back to 1885, when a humorous society called "Klimm - Bimm" was founded. For 1891 a first carnival parade is documented - until today traditionally on Shrove Tuesday.

In 1902 an independent carnival company was founded, the "Käwwern". In 1938 a new association followed under the name "Karnevalverein Babenhausen". The association was not active very long, because during the Second World War the carnival was cancelled. After the war the choir “Eintracht” restarted carnivalistic activities. From its carnival department the today's Babenhausener Carnivalsverein developed in 1958. Since then it has also provided the princely couple of the city and today has about 250 members.

A typical carnival season looks like this:

1.    11^th of November: Campaign opening

2.    Early January: town hall storm (prince couple’s reception at the town mill)

3.    February: Carnival meetings with performances, funny and cabaret talks, various balls and also children carnival meetings in the city hall of Babenhausen.

4.    Roses Monday: Waking of the child princes couple

5.    Shrove Tuesday: Carnival parade passes through the city Babenhausen

6.    Ash Wednesday: Final dinner with all helpers

Arroz Doce Recipe

·       250g carolino rice

·       450g of sugar

·       6 egg yolks

·       3 lemon peel

·       2 cinnamon sticks

·       50g butter

·       0.5 l of water

·       a cup of tea of milk

·       1700 ml of milk

·       Salt

·       Cinnamon powder

Preparation:

1. In a pan, bring to the boil water and rice.

Season with a little salt and cook until the water dries.

2. After the water evaporates, add the butter, lemon peel, cinnamon sticks and milk.

Stir and cook for 30 minutes. Stir occasionally not to grab the bottom.

After the 30 minutes add the sugar.

3. Dissolve the egg yolks with the cup of milk.

While stirring, add the egg yolks to the rice and when it starts to bubble, extinguish the heat.

4. After serving in bowls, bring the sweet rice to the refrigerator.

After cooling, sprinkle with cinnamon and is ready to serve.

Portuguese Recipe of CodFish “Meia Desfeita de Bacalhau”

·       3 codfish pieces

·       550g cooked chickpeas

·       1 chopped onion

·       3 minced cloves garlic

·       3 boiled eggs

·       Pepper

·       Chopped parsley

·       Olive oil

·       Vinegar

Preparation:

1. In a pan with boiling water, place the cod to cook for 10 minutes.

After the cooked cod, remove it to a plate and let cool.

2. Clean it of the skin and bones and shred.

3. In a large bowl, combine the onion, garlic and chopped parsley.

Season with pepper, olive oil and vinegar.

Stir everything very well.

Add the cod and mix a little.

4. Cut the eggs into slices and decorate.

Serve this fresh salad.

Šaltibarščiai (cold beetroot soup)

• 1 medium red beetroot
• 1 medium cucumber
• A handful of spring onion
• A bunch of fresh dill
• 2 hard boiled eggs
• Salt
• A pinch of lemon acid
• 800 ml buttermilk or kefir
• 200-400 ml of cold boiled water (optionaly)
• Sour cream (optionaly)
• 6 medium potatoes

• Boil beetroot in water until tender. Let it cool down, peel and grate coarsely. Mix with salt and a pinch of lemon acid. Leave aside.
• Chop spring onions. Chop dill finely. Chop cucumber into small cubes. Mix all together with salt and let release the flavour. Add grated beetroot. Peel shells from hard-boiled eggs. One option (more comfortable, but less beautiful) – to cut eggs really small and mix with all other ingredients. Another option – to cut boiled eggs in halfs or quarters and divides to each personal plate.
• Add sour cream, buttermilk or kefir. Stir. The color will appear slowly. If you like more liquid soup, add some cold boiled water. Test, is it enough salt.
• Peel potatoes, cut them in half and boil in slightly salted water until tender. Calculate time, that they would be ready and hot when you all sit down for the meal.

Pancake soup

Well – this is the récipe for a huge portion.

Pancakes:

12 Eggs
800g Flour
1/5 liters Milk
Salt

Soup:

6 L of  Water
8 green soup dice
A little bit of herbs

At first you must make pancakes in a pan, for this dough you need a bowl with 1/5 liters Milk, 800g Flour, 12 Eggs and a little bit of salt mixed. Frz the dough in a pan und cut the pancake into small stripes.

For the soup you need 6-8 liters of Water, 8 green soup dice and at the end you need a bit of herbs. Boil everything and add the pancake stripes.