Learning German Traditions and Culture Is Easier Through German Holidays

Like any other country, Germany also celebrates its own German holidays. In German language, the term holiday is called Feiertage which can be divided into holiday calendars and movable feasts. Holidays that are celebrated on a certain fixed day on calendars while the movable feasts or popularly known as bewegliche Feste don't have a particular date for celebration. Like any other country, the start of the calendar or January 1 is reserved for the celebration of Neujahr or New Year's Day in English. Other celebrations are spread throughout the year until Silvester or New Year's Eve is celebrated on the last evening of the year or December 31.

Since Germany is a religious country, most of the celebrations are generally connected to catholic and protestant holidays. For German families, the most important meal of the year is usually the Christmas dinner. The holiday tradition for Christmas dinner may vary from each family as well as each region but there is always one thing in common, and that is to celebrate with the whole family on Heiligabend or Christmas Eve. It is the most awaited among all German holidays of every children because they finally get to gather round the der Tannenbaum (Christmas tree) to receive their die Bescherung (Christmas presents).

For Germany's history, the most important holiday is the German Unity day. This is celebrated October 3 every year and is considered as public holiday. Most documentation would refer to this day as the commemoration or anniversary date of German reunification. It was first celebrated in the year 1990 at Berlin which is the Capital of Germany. This public holiday comes with a citizen's festival and a ceremonial act that is hosted by the German state. The location of the celebration changes yearly- it can be region in the east or any part of Germany. Usually a poster or an article will be released on which part of Germany it would be held.

Among all of the German holidays, perhaps the most famous all over the world is the Oktoberfest. This is because this is the holiday that greatly epitomizes the German culture. It will not come as a surprise on why many would want to join the festivities of Oktoberfest. With the joyous and festive celebration partnered with the most exquisite beer, sumptuous feasts and live music many tourists from all over the world pack their bags to join the fun. Although it's called Oktoberfest, this festivity is celebrated on the month of September and not October. Many would say that this is the best time for learning German tradition. But in reality all German holidays is the best time to get to know about the German culture.

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