15/12/2011
Volkshochschule Olching e.V.
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Team Meeting
Olching/Germany
December 14 to 18, 2011
15/12/2011
Volkshochschule Olching e.V.
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Bavarian Traditions
Bavaria is very rich of traditions. Bavarian
people love them and are proud of them.
Lots of the traditions are bound to religious
events and are taking place all over the year.
This presentation only shows a small
selections of famous traditional events.
15/12/2011
Volkshochschule Olching e.V.
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January-February
Hornschlittenrennen (sledge race on a traditional sledge) and “Fasching”
A "Hornschlitten" is a traditional
sledge which allowed the
transportation of hay and wood
down into the valley during
winter time in earlier days.
Today, mostly around carnival
time, there are some spots in the
Bavarian and Allgaeu Alps where
people, sometimes in carnival
costumes, race down the hill and
over big jumps.
Carnival called „Fasching“
In Olching since 1923
Fasching is the name given to
Carnival in Bavaria. Olching is
known for having the longest
„Fasching procession“ in the
region.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7fN1p_7ogs&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nAZslcEplM&feature=related
15/12/2011
Volkshochschule Olching e.V.
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March
Starkbierzeit (Strong Beer Season)
Starkbierzeit
(Strong Beer Season)
Strong “lent” beer had already
been served during this period of
carnival since the mid 15th
century. Monks brewed lent beer,
because they weren't allowed to
eat during this period. All these
strong beers have the suffix "-ator"
in their name, like: "Delicator",
"Triumphator", "Animator" and
so on. One of the most famous
events of the Strong Beeer Season
takes place at the "Nockerberg"
where a barrel of "Salvator" is
tapped and comedians mock in a
very humorous way - called
"Derblecken“ - the politicians who
have to face their critics.
15/12/2011
In Lots of places the strong beer
season is coupled with
“Steinheben” (stone lifting).
Young men try to lift a stone of
about 110 kg or more.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzlYLkArAR8&
feature=related
Volkshochschule Olching e.V.
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April
Palm Sunday and Easter
Palmsonntag (Palm Sunday)
First of all, Palm Sunday is a religious
festive day. But beside the religious
meaning it always makes people call
the one who gets out of bed last this
day the "Palmesel" (palm donkey).
This is because the donkey is said to
be a lazy and easy-going animal. So
never get up too late that day
(Sunday before Easter), otherwise
someone might call you the
"Palmesel".
But you can refer to the bible: "The
latter will be first!"
Decoration: “Palmbüscheln” to
be blessed on Palm Sunday
15/12/2011
Volkshochschule Olching e.V.
In true Bavarian style
Easter is celebrated with a
mixture of ancient
traditions and 21st century
goodies: Easter Bunny
(Osterhase), coloured eggs,
kids searching for eggs
kindly left by the
“Osterhase”, roast lamb
lunch, Easter lamb cake
and more.
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Mai
Maibaum aufstellen (Maypole raising)
Every year there is fierce competition between the
towns and cities in Bavaria for where the highest
(some up to over 90 feet) and most majestic pole is
erected. The Maypole can look different in each
region. In some places it is planted with the tree bark,
and in others it is stripped and painted blue-andwhite, hung with colorful ribbons, decorated with
carved figures and adorned with a wreath. The pole is
erected by without technical assistance just with
thick, long rods (“Schaibeln”) bound together into
“Scheren”. This work can stretch out over two hours.
In neighbour communities the young men's
associations often try to steal the Maypole. According
to a custom the stolen pole has to be redeemed by a
ransom consisting of beer and food which both
communities share together.
15/12/2011
Volkshochschule Olching e.V.
Mai - June
Fronleichnam (Corpus Christi)
Fronleichnam (Corpus Christi)
Many processions take place in
Bavaria. One of the most
interesting ones is the only
existing lake procession at Lake
Staffelsee near Murnau where
hundreds of people meet with
their small boats for a mass
celebrated by the local priest.
15/12/2011
Volkshochschule Olching e.V.
May processions are often
devoted to the Virgin
Mary and take place in
many villages. A famous
procession is the one in
Kochel at the
„Walchensee“.
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Mai - June
Kötzinger Pfingstritt (Whitsun Ride)
The almost 600 year old Whitsun ride in Kötzing , called
“Eucharistic Procession on horse”, is one of the oldest event in
Bavaria and starts by custom on Whitsunday at 8 o´clock. The
ride with about 900 cavaliers in passed down costumes and with
superbly decorated horses – leads to the Nicholas church seven
kilometers away. Only men are allowed to participate to this
pilgrimage. According to the legend, in 1412, a chaplain had to
bring a dying man the last sacraments. On the way courageous
young men from Kötzing defended the Sanctum against
predaceous assaults.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NO8yySEd4_w
15/12/2011
Volkshochschule Olching e.V.
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Juli
Landshuter Hochzeit (The Wedding in Landshut)
The former capital of Bavaria makes History come alive: Every
four years far more than 2000 citizens revive with enthusiasm
the whole splendor of the late Middle Ages wearing costumes
tailored true to the original. Celebrations take place on four
weekends during three weeks. They represent the wedding of
the Polish King´s daughter Hedwig to the Duke of Wittelsbach
George of Bavaria-Landshut. The next celebration of the
"Landshuter Hochzeit 1475" takes place from 28 June - 21 July
2013.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nEbBJ8MMts
15/12/2011
Volkshochschule Olching e.V.
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Juli
Ritterspiele in Kaltenberg (Kaltenberg Knights Tournament)
The world's largest Knights Tournament is held in
Kaltenberg, not far from Munich, on three
weekends in July. 1,200 participants contribute to
an incomparable atmosphere at the mediaeval
market: juggling and music, the life of knights and
historical handicrafts, minstrelsy and magic, food
and drink, everything your heart could desire. And
in the arena, the world-famous “Cascadeurs
Associés” hold a jousting tournament, as breathtaking as any in the 14th century could have been.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68aQxaSquU4&feature=related
15/12/2011
Volkshochschule Olching e.V.
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September – October
Viehscheid or Almabtrieb (an autumn cattle-drive from the high alpine pastures)
In early September the cows
are driven back downhill. The
lead cows (only one per herd)
are adorned with ornamental
head-dresses and huge
clanking bells. By doing so,
people celebrate their safe
return in towns and villages.
15/12/2011
Harvest festival (Erntedankfest)
is celebrated on the first Sunday of
October. It is one of the oldest
tradition as in former time people
thanked God for a good harvest in
bringing a selection of fruits and
vegetables as well as corn, wine
and more.
Kirchweihfest, originally the church
anniversary, now takes place
mostly on the 3rd Sunday of
October. In some villages and
towns, it is a day when young men
look for a bride. Dances in
traditional costumes are part of the
festivity.
Volkshochschule Olching e.V.
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October
“Oktoberfest” Munich famous beer festival
What’s the history behind the Oktoberfest?
It all started with a horse race which the national guard staged for
the people on 17th August 1810 to mark the wedding of Ludwig
Crown Prince of Bavaria (later King Ludwig I) to Princess Therese
von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. The race was such a success that it
was staged again the following year on the Theresienwiese – the
meadow named in honour of the Princess. From 1870 onwards the
number of stalls began to increase and in 1896 the very first beer
tents were erected which sold only beer brewed in Munich – a
tradition which has remained to the present day. Due to lack of
space the horse races with which it all began were staged for the
last time in 1936.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSTY-Aan7Q0
15/12/2011
Volkshochschule Olching e.V.
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November
“Leonhardi Ritt” St. Leonhard Horse Procession and St. Martin´s Day
St. Leonhard Horse
Procession
This major procession
honours St. Leonard, and
features townsfolk dressed
in traditional garments, as
well as brass bands and
flower-festooned horse
carts. Most famous version
of this is in Tegernsee.
15/12/2011
St. Martin´s Day on the 11st of
November is celebrated in
remembrance of St. Martin who
divided his coat into two pieces
and gave one half to a poor man
so that he could survive in winter.
It has the symbolic of sharing
goods with the poorest persons.
Children – especially the small
ones - make lampions of paper
and wander singing through the
streets to the church where they
receive a cookie , a St. Martin
cake. There are also St. Martin´s
fires in numerous villages.
Volkshochschule Olching e.V.
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December
St. Nicholas and Christmas Market
St. Nicholas and his helper
“Knecht Ruprecht” come in
kindergartens and schools
but can also be „rented“ by
parents and come in your
home. While St. Nicholas is
giving small presents and
sweets to nice children,
Knecht Ruprecht ´s duty is to
reprimand naughty children.
15/12/2011
Traditional German Christmas
markets are becoming more and
more famous among tourists. Just
think about the world famous
Nuremberg Christkindlsmarkt, the
mulled wine (Glühwein), the
gingerbread (Lebkuchen) and all
the other typical sweets. Most
Christmas markets in Bavaria start
in the last week of November for
the beginning of the Advent and
last until two or three days before
Christmas Eve.
Volkshochschule Olching e.V.
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31st of December
Silvester – New Year´s Eve
Sylvester is celebrated with festivities of all sizes from large gala dinners
and balls to local festivities in cities, towns and villages across the state.
Sparkling wine and fireworks are a must.
Private parties surrounded by your closest friends often involve eating a
fondue or a raclette, singing, dancing and the tradition of “Bleigiessen”. A
small piece of lead is melted in a spoon over candle flame and then
dropped into ice cold water. From the shape formed by the hardened lead
predictions are made about what is going to happen during the year.
New Year's Eve Shooting in Berchtesgaden:
Similar to Christmas Eve, on December 31st, numerous members of the
shooting clubs use their black powder guns (Handböller) to salute the New
Year. Shooting starts at 23:30 and increases in volume until midnight. Many
locals set off fireworks and firecrackers as well. In numerous farms prayers
are said, special candles lit and incense burned. This is called the second
'incensing' night.
15/12/2011
Volkshochschule Olching e.V.
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And there are more .....
If you are interested to know more about traditions in Bavaria, we
suggest you to have a look at these few ones:
“Fingerhakeln” : http://bavarianspaces.de/index.php/top-10/schoenstenbayerischen-gebraeuche/2547/
“Schnalzen”
http://www.schnalzen.de/index.php?menue=00000401
“Watschentanz”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALzUlKWXe_E&feature=player_embedded
“Dirndlflug am Ammersee” http://dirndlflug.de/galerie/
“Eisstockschiessen” : http://bavarianspaces.de/index.php/top10/schoensten-bayerischen-gebraeuche/2547/
15/12/2011
Volkshochschule Olching e.V.
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THANK YOU
FOR
YOUR ATTENTION!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMx2nvmHvtU
(Schäfflertanz – created 1517 during the pest epidemy by coopers)
Celia Dierl and Hélène Sajons
15/12/2011
Volkshochschule Olching e.V.
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