created: 30.09.2004
last modified: 30.09.2004
"Celebrate the parties as they come!" says a German proverb. During one year there are many different big festivals, where locals and visitors from abroad party together. As a diabetic you don't have to do without these festivals of course. Just a little restraint is necessary because at German festivals normally a lot of alcohol and hearty meals are enjoyed. We would like to introduce three of the most famous German festivals to you:
The Oktoberfest
The Oktoberfest, which takes place once a year in Munich is without doubt the most famous German festival. Its origin was the wedding of Ludwig of Bavaria and Princess Therese of Hildburghausen in 1810, which was celebrated with a horse racing day. This horse race developed into "the world's biggest 'Volksfest'" over the years. Every year, from the end of September until the beginning of October, for two weeks millions of people stream onto the "Wies'n" (the Theresien meadows in Munich, named after Therese of Hildburghausen) to party excessively Here the beer flows in streams and the visitor should be able to drink a little bit more because a Bavarian "Maß", the beer mugs from Bavaria, contains one whole litre.
Diabetics should only try the German beer specialities. Of course there are also non - alcoholic drinks! For people who have to watch their nutrition the classic "Brez'n" (pretzel) that has 2 bread units, is recommended. Half a roasted chicken, a "halbes Hendl", is a low fat alternative to the traditional "Schweinshaxe" (pork's leg), especially if you don't eat the skin.
Further information, also in English is available at www.oktoberfest.de
The Carnival
The Carnival, or Mardi Gras, as it's also called, isn't only celebrated in Rio de Janeiro, also in Germany the joy of fancy dressing is well known. Especially in the cities of Cologne, Düsseldorf and Mainz people celebrate for several days with big parades. The festival generally means a time of exuberance and joy before the 40 days of Easter fasting begin on Ash Wednesday; in south Germany the winter was "scared away" that way in the past. The official beginning of the Carnival season is November the 11th at 11:11 am. The festival reaches its climax on Rose's Monday, the Monday 42 days before Easter. Typical traditions are, apart from the masquerade, the announcement of a Carnival's prince who reigns the clownish people for one season, the so - called "Bützen" (giving little kisses, like when saying "hello" in France to other party people), the Carnival sessions, where funny and also political speeches are being held and the spreading of sweets from the parade wagons. The "Carnivalists" on the wagons throw candy and other sweets to the spectators.
Further information in English:
http://www-germany-info.org/relaunch/culture/life/karneval.html
"Schützenfeste"/ Funfairs
The "Schützenfeste" (festivals of local shooting clubs, which have nothing in common with gun clubs in the USA for example) have their origin in the German military history and are being celebrated since the 14th century. Nowadays the social aspect of being together and celebrating are in the focal point of these events. The "shooters" in their uniforms - almost without exemption male - parade through town, sometimes with their wagons. The "Schützenfest" is being celebrated differently from region to region; it embodies values like tradition and home. In most towns a funfair comes with it, where the young and old can have lots of fun for several days. The biggest "Schützenfeste" in the world are the festival days in Hannover (every year in July) and in Neuss (every year in August).
