STREIHMAENCHEN/STREIHFRAECHEN VERBRENNUNG AN BUERGBRENNEN! (Burn Baby Burn)

Buergbrennen 2012 - Picture courtesy www.wort.lu 

As tradition has it, a straw man complete with suit and hat (Stréihmännchen) is burned every Ash Wednesday in Remich, a small city on the Moselle river. This year, a leap year, a straw woman (Stréihfrächen) was paraded around town, set on fire and thrown in the river. This symbolizes the end of Carnival and the burning away of all sins.

Last Sunday, the first Sunday of Lent, torch-lit parades were held and public bonfires were kindled in many parts of Luxembourg where giant crosses and remains of Christmas trees were immolated.

These Lenten fires combine Christian and pagan traditions and go back to rituals which were intended to chase away winter and welcome spring, ensuring the fertility of fields and livestock. 

Both events are fun and entertaining. Food stands offer local fare and drinks

Picture courtesy leeandhermuse.blogspot.com

In the US we have Hoodie-Hoo Day. This little known holiday is celebrated in the Northern Hemisphere on February 20. People go out at noon, some wearing funny and unusual hats, wave their hands over their heads and chant “Hoodie-Hoo". It is a day to chase away winter and usher in spring. According to myth, the Hoodie-Hoo is a spirit who lives in the forest. With some urging on or about Feb. 20, it awakes, emerges from the wilderness and chases winter into seclusion.

  

SIDD DIR VEKLEET? (Carnival in Luxembourg ..)

Today is “Fues-Sondenn” (Carnival Sunday) in Luxembourg and the festivities are in full swing. Fastnacht/Fasching/Carnival/Carnivale is celebrated in many parts of the world the most famous being Rio de Janeiro, Venice and the spectacular Mardi Gras event in New Orleans.

The very cute Hannah S. from Belvaux "am Jumm" - celebrating Carnival

Customs vary from country to country, some of the best known Carnival traditions include floats, parades, masquerade balls, dancing and singing, boisterous games and the throwing of confetti.  

As with many holidays, Carnival was adapted from pagan festivals. Some link it to the Saturnalian festival of ancient Rome others to 3500 year old Greek spring fertility celebrations. It is safe to say that the original festival was rooted in end-of-winter/beginning-of-spring rituals where grotesque masks, costumes and lots of noise were used to scare away the evil spirits and winter doldrums.

For those of Christian Faith, Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday or Shrove Tuesday in England), the final party of indulgence before Ash Wednesday, marks the end of the Carnival Season and the beginning of the privations of Lent. 

Traditional carnival pastries in Luxembourg are abundant and delicious. “Verwurrelten Gedanken” (deep fried knotted pastry) and “Nonnefäscht” (donut dusted with powdery sugar) are our favorites.

We wish you “Schein Fuesdeeg” (Happy Carnival). Have fun, celebrate, be safe and don’t drink and drive.