On the evening of November 11th, communities across Germany come together for the iconic St. Martin Lantern Parade, a symbolic journey that illuminates the darkness. Children and families, carrying handcrafted lanterns, parade through the streets, creating a sea of lights reminiscent of St. Martin’s own act of sharing his cloak with a beggar.
Crafting for St. Martin
In order to prepare for the lantern parade, our students were busy creating beautiful paper lanterns.
This year, also a Swiss tradition was picked up by some classes.
In many communities across the canton of Zurich, children hollow out turnips and carve them into lanterns, later putting candles in them and carrying them through the dark streets. They are called “Räben”.
Thank you, Norma, for introducing this cultural highlight of Switzerland.
After a morning of crafting paper lanterns and carving turnips the students went on their lantern parade through the school while singing all the iconic St. Martin songs like “Laterne, Laterne, Sonne, Mond und Sterne“.
☀️ 🌙 ⭐️
Illuminating the Night
Later that evening, everyone was ready for a mesmerizing St. Martin lantern procession led by our singing students, lighting up the night with their paper and turnip lanterns.
We were also thrilled to be invited again by the Surrey Firefighters, when two of their fire trucks added an extra spark to our parade.
Some parents provided refreshments from Tim Hortons, as there is no lantern parade without Hot Chocolate and some sweets.
Some cookies were handed out, replacing the traditional soft ‘Weckmann’.
Over 40 people from our school attended the illuminating event.
