In November kindergarten classes celebrate Lichterfest. They make lanterns and learn songs during class, and then one evening they gather to celebrate a Festival of Light. We joined Henry's school for their celebration on Nov. 3, at 5pm, just as it was starting to get dark. All the parents and siblings waited outside (we were on a tennis court of the sports club next to Henry's school), and the three classes paraded out with their lanterns - lit with candles - and formed a big circle around the center objects shown to the right.
They sang songs together and, for a portion of the time, a smaller group of kids came forward and held candles and sang additional songs. The songs were primarily about fall coming, summer ending and fire, water, earth and air. We were told it is an old Celtic tradition. (Incidentally, when in Salzburg, we learned that it was the Celts who discovered the salt mines.) The thing that I enjoyed most about this ceremony was all the older siblings standing just behind the kindergarteners, heartily singing along.
What an interesting celebration! I'm learning so much through your blog :)
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