Frohe Ostern!

Ein deutscher Osterbaum

Ostern. At this time of year I have a bit of a hankering to get on the next ferry to Germany, as most of my visits to Germany have happened over the Easter holidays. My first trip was to a small town called Duderstadt, near the now-defunct border with the former DDR. I stayed with the Schäfer family who looked after all my needs very well. In their living room they had a small Osterbaum on a windowsill. I was enchanted by the simplicity of the idea and the joy of the design: a bunch of twigs taken from the garden was hung with decorated eggshells. I had been introduced to Germany's enthusiasm for Easter and I was hooked!

Another important feature of Easter in Germany is der Osterhase. According to German folklore this little character originally decided whether children had been naughty or good and carried coloured eggs, sweets or even little toys in a basket as a reward for well-behaved children. 

Germans decorate their houses and gardens with brightly coloured eggs and spring flowers. After a long cold winter everybody is looking forward to the spring, better weather and longer daysAnd not just because of the delicious Easter eggs I was given on Easter morning.

Osterhasen aus Schokolade

If you arrived in Hamburg on the Saturday before Easter Sunday you might be treated to the spectacular sight of bonfires all the way along the banks of the river Elbe as your boat travelled up to Hamburger Hafen. The Osterfeuer is another old German custom to welcome spring. In ancient times it was believed that the light from the fire would bring protection from sickness and misfortune.

Ein Osterfeuer