Easter Fires

I looked back at some earlier Easter posts and found I hadn't said anything about traditional Easter Fires or Osterfeuer.  Funny, since we have often gone to the fires - but then there's so much going on at Easter time.  And truth be told, we're not always here or at a fire.

The tradition predates dating, one of those primitive rituals that got folded into the Christian mythology.  The farmers collected old wood and trimmed limbs and in early spring made a bonfire.  And since fires are enticing, it seemed to lead to celebrations:   

Winter's gone, spring comes at last,

We'll send the cold spirits away with our fire

And nourish our fields with its ash. 

These days of course it has a lot more to do with partying the winter away and as you know, Germans love any excuse for a party.

Since the weather was dry - though cold! - we ventured to the old shipyard where there was a band, a Bratwurst stand and three or four beer stands.  And lots of people!  The fire attracts and loads of folks were always around the fire, soaking up the warmth.

No one could get dangerously close though because the firemen - the Feuerwehr - were there, hoses in hand to keep the fire in hand.

We went there by bus, checked out the music and the fire, had a Brat and a Bier, and took a leisurely walk home in the cool, cool of the night.

Nice.

Later, as is often the case, I was awake in the night, this time just before 5AM.  It was still dark but the bells of at least 4, maybe 5, churches in our area began to peal.  I guess I'd not been awake at 5AM on an Easter morning before, because I certainly do not remember the bells.  The songs continued for 10 minutes.

How lovely.  Welcome spring.

POST SCRIPT 9 April

We read in the local section today that the police had to come in later and help the firemen douse the fire earlier than planned and send all the revelers home since some of them - who had probably had a beer or two too many - thought it'd be fun to have a fight.  Too bad.