1. Erntedankfest in Deutschland
“Thanksgiving” in Germany

2. Erntedankfest Thanksgiving in Deutschland = called Erntedankfest
Long tradition – especially in rural areas
Celebration to give thanks for a successful harvest that guarantees another year without starvation
Usually celebrated on the 1st Sunday in October

3. Erntedankfest
Thanksgiving in the U.S. is a nonreligious holiday – but Erntedankfest in Deutschland is a religious occasion
Church services dominate the day
Erntedankgottesdienst = Thanksgiving service

4. Erntedankfest
Erntedankfest traditions revolve around the harvest grain
First church service is usually held at 10 a.m. and huge straw baskets, filled with grain, fruit, potatoes, etc. are carried to the church in a parade
Baskets are blessed and distributed to the poor

5. Erntedankfest
Erntekränze = big wreaths made from grain and hung on doors
Erntekronen = huge crowns, skillfully woven from grain and decorated with ribbons, that are set up in central marketplaces

6. Erntekronen
Smaller crowns are also put on the roofs of farm buildings and barns
Crowns are carried in Umzügen (parades) at the end of church services around 2 pm.
At 3 pm = music, dancing, and food inside and outside of the church

7. Erntedankfest
At 6 pm = an evening service is followed by Laternenumzüge = lantern parades in which children participate and go from house to house
There are often fireworks to mark the end of the Erntedankfest ceremonies around 7 pm

8. Erntedankfest Essen!
Traditional American turkey has become popular in Deutschland too
Kapaun = chicken that is roasted and stuffed
Mohnstriezel = sweet bread sprinkled with poppy seeds
Thanksgiving pastry
Originated in Austria