Der Nikolaus

Find out more about the generous 2nd century Turkish bishop who became a saint and whose name day is widely celebrated in many European countries.

O Nikolaus

This is a simple song in German about St Nicolas who comes to visit good children in Germany, Austria and many other European countries on the night before der Nikolaustag (December 6th). He leaves sweet treats and small gifts in their boots if they leave them out for him. Naughty children are visited by Krampus who leaves coal and twigs in their boots.

Wort der Woche: Apfel



This ancient fruit is known the world over. Der Apfel ist rund, saftig und süß; round, juicy and sweet.



Used throughout Germany this humble fruit provides refreshing juice (Apfelsaft) and glasses of foaming cider (Apfelmost) and is an important ingredient in many cakes and puddings. One of the most famousof these is Apfelstrudel which is so well known it goes by its German name in many non German-speaking countries.

 

Apfelstrudel is a Viennese pastry, with a juicy filling made of apples spiced with cinnamon and flavoured with sharp lemon juice and sweet rum. The whole cake is dusted with icing sugar and usually served witha good Austrian coffee. To find out how to make this delicious teatime treat, click here.

Can you work out what this proverb means?
Einen Apfel pro Tag, mit dem Doktor keine Plag.

I think you might have guessed this one. The english version is: An apple a day keeps the doctor away.