Erntedankfest, German Thanksgiving

By Nick • Nov 20th, 2007 • Category: Customs

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Did you know that Germans also celebrate a sort of Thanksgiving? In Germany they call it Erntedankfest. I also had no idea until I read this article by Suite101.com:

“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.”

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