Holidays and Celebrations in German-Speaking Countries By Jacob Scribner PRE 770 By Jacob Scribner PRE 770

Heilige Drei Koenige (Epiphany)  Celebrated January 6th  Not all of Germany celebrates this day (mostly celebrated by members of Catholic and Eastern Churches)  The holiday observes the revelation of the god of the Bible in human form, and it is celebrated by a feast with cake as the main dish  Celebrated January 6th  Not all of Germany celebrates this day (mostly celebrated by members of Catholic and Eastern Churches)  The holiday observes the revelation of the god of the Bible in human form, and it is celebrated by a feast with cake as the main dish

Tag der Arbeit (Labour Day)  Celebrated on May 1st and is observed by all of Germany  Became an official holiday in 1933 after the Nazi Party rose to power  Although the Nazis outlawed free unions the day after endorsing this holiday, many German workers still continued to observe and celebrate it anyway.  Celebrated on May 1st and is observed by all of Germany  Became an official holiday in 1933 after the Nazi Party rose to power  Although the Nazis outlawed free unions the day after endorsing this holiday, many German workers still continued to observe and celebrate it anyway.

Oktoberfest (October Festival)  Celebrated from the middle of September to early October. This custom was started to allow the attendees to enjoy the festivities in warmer weather.  Originated on October 12, 1810 as a wedding celebration between Prince Ludwig I and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen and ended five days later.  Over the centuries, it has become the biggest festival in the world, attracting an average of six million people each year.  Celebrated from the middle of September to early October. This custom was started to allow the attendees to enjoy the festivities in warmer weather.  Originated on October 12, 1810 as a wedding celebration between Prince Ludwig I and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen and ended five days later.  Over the centuries, it has become the biggest festival in the world, attracting an average of six million people each year.

Tag der Deutschen Einheit (German Unity Day)  Celebrated nationwide by Germany every October 3rd to commemorate the reunification of Germany in  It began in Berlin in 1990, and every year it is celebrated in one of the German State Capitals in rotation.  The holiday is typically celebrated by the consumption of beer.  Celebrated nationwide by Germany every October 3rd to commemorate the reunification of Germany in  It began in Berlin in 1990, and every year it is celebrated in one of the German State Capitals in rotation.  The holiday is typically celebrated by the consumption of beer.

Schnitzelbank  Literally translating to “carving bench,” this is a song which is commonly sung by children for learning new words and by adults during large social celebratory gatherings.  The song involves adding rhyming pairs of words to each new verse and repeating those words backwards to the refrain.  k k  Literally translating to “carving bench,” this is a song which is commonly sung by children for learning new words and by adults during large social celebratory gatherings.  The song involves adding rhyming pairs of words to each new verse and repeating those words backwards to the refrain.  k k

Krampus  While this mythical creature is believed to predate Christian tradition, he is a demon-like beast who accompanies Saint Nicholas during the Christmas season.  Observed mostly in Austria, many young men during the first few weeks of December dress up as Krampus and go about town causing mischief.  Q Q  While this mythical creature is believed to predate Christian tradition, he is a demon-like beast who accompanies Saint Nicholas during the Christmas season.  Observed mostly in Austria, many young men during the first few weeks of December dress up as Krampus and go about town causing mischief.  Q Q

Knecht Ruprecht (Servant Rupert)  While not as beastly as Krampus, Knecht Ruprecht is another mythological companion of Saint Nicholas observed by people in central Europe.  There are many different versions of Ruprecht’s character, but he is commonly seen as Saint Nicholas’s enforcer. Nicholas rewards the well- behaved children, and Ruprecht punishes the naughty children--usually with a small whip.  While not as beastly as Krampus, Knecht Ruprecht is another mythological companion of Saint Nicholas observed by people in central Europe.  There are many different versions of Ruprecht’s character, but he is commonly seen as Saint Nicholas’s enforcer. Nicholas rewards the well- behaved children, and Ruprecht punishes the naughty children--usually with a small whip.

Donauinselfest (Danube Island Festival)  Celebrated in Vienna, Austria since  Three-day concert usually held in June on a series of small islands on the Danube River.  In recent years, the festival has drawn nearly three million from around the world.  Previous acts have included Falco, Bloodhound Gang, and Chris Daughtry   Celebrated in Vienna, Austria since  Three-day concert usually held in June on a series of small islands on the Danube River.  In recent years, the festival has drawn nearly three million from around the world.  Previous acts have included Falco, Bloodhound Gang, and Chris Daughtry 

Yodeling  While it is believed that yodeling was developed around the Swiss and Austrian Alps as a way of communicating between mountain peaks, it later became a part of the local culture and incorporated into the region’s music.  Yodeling is often done in the mountains or near lakes so as the singer can hear his or her voice echo off of the natural acoustics.  After being integrated into the local culture, yodeling is sometimes performed during celebrations involving singing and dancing to allow crowd interaction and to create merriment.   While it is believed that yodeling was developed around the Swiss and Austrian Alps as a way of communicating between mountain peaks, it later became a part of the local culture and incorporated into the region’s music.  Yodeling is often done in the mountains or near lakes so as the singer can hear his or her voice echo off of the natural acoustics.  After being integrated into the local culture, yodeling is sometimes performed during celebrations involving singing and dancing to allow crowd interaction and to create merriment. 