"Ich gehe mit meiner Laterne ..."

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"ICH GEHE MIT MEINER LATERNE ..." 

 (CHILDREN WITH LANTERNS) 

SIZE: 41 x 37 cm - 16 x 14,5 inch

2016 © ISABELLA KRAMER

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this is my yearly lantern painting, even an exercise for more practice in wet-in-wet technique. 

The nights before and on the night of Nov. 11, children walk in processions carrying lanterns, which they made in school, and sing Martin songs. Usually, the walk starts at a church and goes to a public square. A man on horseback dressed like St. Martin accompanies the children. When they reach the square, Martin’s bonfire is lit and Martin’s pretzels are distributed.[3]

In some regions of Germany (e.g. Rhineland or Bergisches Land) in a separate procession the children also go from house to house with their lanterns, sing songs and get candy in return.

The origin of the procession of lanterns is unclear. To some, it is a substitute for the St. Martin bonfire, which is still lit in a few cities and villages throughout Europe. It formerly symbolized the light that holiness brings to the darkness, just as St. Martin brought hope to the poor through his good deeds. Even though the tradition of the large, crackling fire is gradually being lost, the procession of lanterns is still practiced.

by wikipedia

During my childhood, we often went at the late autumn afternoon with our lanterns through the streets and sang. In Germany there are many songs which are specially composed and have been written in ancient times. One of them is "Ich gehe mit meiner Laterne" 

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