Rottweil is one of the major centers (Hochburg) of the Swabian-Alemannic carnival. This Swabian-Alemannic carnival is a separate form, and for good reason. The differences from the Rhenish carnival are significant: no candy throwing, no moving platforms, no “guards” in miniskirts, but masks actively pester the audience.
tradition, meal
Chestnuts in Germany (Esskastanien, Maronen)
Roasted chestnuts are an essential part of Advent. In recent years, chestnuts in Germany have been sold far less than before and prices are incredible. Only Aldi rescues the situation – here you can buy small cheap chestnuts. In southern Germany you can also pick chestnuts in the forest. In this topic – how to distinguish edible chestnuts and how to cook them.
Let’s first understand the difference between Kastanien, Esskastanien and Maronen.
Actual this autumn: emergency storage, corona rules and declaration of real estate
It’s still warm outside, but the lack of city lighting is a clear reminder that a hard winter is just around the corner. The German media regularly publishes a list of what the government thinks you should have in reserve in case of emergency. At the very least, long-term blackout are highly likely. Let’s look at this list. At the same time we will look at what is required of us in connection with the corona (do you remember this one?).
Carnival in Germany
Carnival in Germany – Faschingsumzug or Fastnachtsumzug – a favorite entertainment not only for children, but also for adults. Carnivals are not held in all German cities, usually larger or tourist ones in western and southwestern Germany.
The largest (most visited) are carnivals in Cologne, Dusseldorf, Mainz.
German festivals in December – January
Christmas in Europe is a special time. A Christmas market, trees and decorations, Christmas carols … But all this you find not on Christmas itself, but earlier – on Advent. From December 23 to January 27, Europe is not the best place to visit: just before Christmas, everyone completely empties the store shelves and lies at the bottom: long weekends, no one works, except gas station, Donners and a few restaurants. The interval between Christmas and New Year and after the New Year is the time of sales of old clothing collections. And immediately after January 6, the holidays are completely over: the lights and the trees are removed.
Christmas cookies in Germany
This post is for those who have just met the fanaticism of Christmas cookies in Germany and don’t know where to start. You can easily find a couple of hundred cookie-themed recipes on the Internet, here are the most basic ones for beginners.
As soon as the children go to the kindergarten, the kindergarten and school “tribute” begin. For St. Martin, to sell at the Christmas market, to fundraise for the trip, for Basteltag, for the pre-Christmas breakfast in the garden, for the school Christmas breakfast, for Easter …
Saint Martin Festival Germany. Songs
The main children’s autumn holiday is on the way – Saint Martin Festival in Germany. Processions with lanterns are timed to this holiday.
The memory of Saint Martin is celebrated on November 11th. But processions in his honor usually take place after All Saints’ Day, that is, after November 1, and small processions of one kindergarden or urban area can be scheduled for any day of the last week of October.
German wine classification system and wine regions
Since we live in a wine region, we had to explore German wine classification system. And German wines are not bad at all, if you make right choice.
In this post about different classifications (classic German wine classification + EU, taste, VDP), wine regions, popular sorts.
Diy Lanterns for Saint Martin feast. 2. Paper mache lanterns, lampion lantern, bags
In the first part, we looked at the possible lighting options and basic materials for diy lanterns. Now let’s see what typical forms and what techniques are used. I must say, that the imagination is inexhaustible and every year new variants for lanterns appear. I tried to collect most of the ones already invented.
part 1 – lighting, basic materials,
part 3 – polygons, “cheese package”,
part 4 – “houses” and “drums”
DIY silhouette lantern for Saint Martin feast. Part 5
Separat about feast and songs for it
Bascetta star tutorial
German school cone (Schultüte). How to make
All about Saint Martin Lantern. 1. Materials
This thread is all about Saint Martin lanterns for Saint Martin Festival. Let’s start with lighting and materials, then discuss the basic shapes of lanterns and some techniques.
Please note that most lanterns require not only lighting, but also a stick to carry it on. And there are more problems with a stick than with a candle.

Farmer market in Germany and fruits and berries “free of charge”
Local products are in great demand, although it is not always easy to find them. In this post – where you can find farmer market in Germany and whether your can eat for free apples and Co on the way.

Broom on the house. What is Besen?
Riddle from the series “Do you know Germany well?”
What do the owners want to say if they hang a broom on the house?

What is Wichteln
“What are you going? Wichteln? What is Wichteln?” – This question often comes up in November, when foreign mothers receive the letter from school. It can also come from the kindergarden (rather unlikely), sports club or even from work.
What is it meant? Wichtel is a gnome who secretly does good. In the modern version, gifts for Christmas are supposed. The specialty of this way of giving gifts is secrecy or accident.
German school cone (Schultüte). How to make
In my opinion, self-made German school cone look better than purchased ones. But still, you need to spend reasonable time and reasonable money on creating a cone. Otherwise, just buy and not rack your brains. In the last week before the Einschulung, ready-made Schultüte are very inexpensive.
