What is Martinstag? The legend and History of St. Martin
A Roman soldier as a child, legend has it that Martin of Tours became a monk after declaring himself as “Christ’s soldier”. Known for being a kind man who carried out many good deeds, including cutting his cape in half to share with a blind beggar during a snowstorm, his good nature caught the attention of local religious authorities and the peoples of Tours, who wanted him to become their next Bishop.
The story goes that despite his best efforts at resisting, he was made Bishop of Tours after hiding in a stable full of geese who gave away his location, thanks to their loud noises. Upon being made Bishop, St. Martin demanded he be served a dinner of roasted goose as they had betrayed him, and this is why roast goose – or Martinigansl – is feasted upon each year.
Of course, this may indeed be the stuff of legends, as the 11th November also marks the last day before fasting for advent commences and is also Harvest Festival…and traditionally, workers would have been given a goose as a treat for their families.
Lantern processions
Sometimes known as ‘Old Halloween’ or the ‘lantern festival’ in northern Germany, the lantern is perhaps the most important part of the Martinstag celebration today. Children make their own lanterns and communities come together for light-filled processions, which are often led by a man on horseback, wearing a red cape in tribute to St. Martin.
And in some regions, children go from door-to-door with their lanterns and sing for sweets or baked treats – a tradition bearing some resemblance to the custom of trick-or-treating at Halloween.
