Germans, too, celebrate a day of thanksgiving to God for a plentiful harvest. On the first Sunday of October (in most locations), visitors to German churches will find a plethora of fruits, vegetables, sheaves of grain, and also baked goods, as decorations around the altars. Visitors to market places and fairgrounds will oftentimes find Erntedankfest (literally: harvest gratitude festival) dances, displays, booths, a special Erntefeuer (harvest fire), and other festivities to celebrate this occasion.
In the regions where wine grapes are grown, Winzer (vintners) will present their new wines and allow for a public wine-tasting. A Bauernmarkt (farmers' market) will allow visitors to purchase the freshest produce available, while the more immediate culinary needs are attended to in a Festzelt (party tent), where it is save to assume that some of the famous German beer will be available.
Considering the richness of Germany's traditions which vary by individual regions, the visitor to a German Erntedankfest celebration will find sometimes subtle, sometimes plentiful differences in the modes of merriment. What sets the German celebration apart from its American cousin, however, are the strong religious undertones of this event. Take a look at some photos of a beautiful religious Erntedank celebration. Additionally, here are some photos of a more secular community celebration with Erntedankzug (parade), horses, and all the trimmings.
American Thanksgiving transcends faiths and has become a secular tradition. The German Erntedankfest is centered around giving thanks to God for His blessings and provisions, and has not evolved into the big, often obligatory, family feasts.
The menu for an Erntedankfest celebration is varied; traditionally, a Gans (goose) would have been the centerpiece of the meal, but most likely due to the Western influence, Truthahn (turkey) is gradually displacing the traditional fowl.
Children enjoy making crafts such as decorative Strohpuppen (straw dolls) and Erntedankkronen (harvest gratitude crowns). If your children enjoy coloring, please find some Erntedank coloring pages here.
Check out these great Thanksgiving family resources around Suite101!
- Thanksgiving Side Dishes (Kids in the Kitchen) by Donna Smith
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