St Martin Lantern Parade
Location: Bowness Rd/Shaganappi Tr NW (Edworthy Park) (View Map)
Dates: November 11, 2012
Website: https://www.facebook.com/AssociationForGermanEducationInCalgary
Calgarians are invited to celebrate an old European tradition, the St. Martin Lantern Parade. The event is open to all and all ages. Children will make lanterns and gather for a procession after sunset to bring the light into the dark season. Afterwards, everyone is invited to roast chestnuts and marshmellows at the bonfire and warm up with a cup of hot chocolate.
This tradition is especially popular in Germany and Austria where it has a lot in common with both Halloween and Thanksgiving. It commemorates the day of St Martin on November 11. Martin was a Roman soldier who later became a monk and one of the most revered European saints. The best-known legend connected with Saint Martin is the dividing of the cloak, when he tore his cloak in two to share it with a freezing beggar.
The Association for German Education in Calgary is hosting the event in Edworthy Park at sunset starting at 5.30 pm. “St Martin” - all dressed in his Roman uniform - will lead the lantern parade on his horse. We meet on the North side of the river.
The event is free of charge for all participants. The GICYYC grant will cover organizational costs including the special event permit, lantern supplies, hot chocolate and snacks for the bonfire.
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Beatrix Downton
Celebrating an outdoor event is always a challenging proposition in Calgary, especially in November. And true to tradition, just a few days before the St Martin Lantern Parade was to start, the entire city was blanketed in snow and temperatures dropped to double digits. In the end, this did not deter any of the participants. And don't forget, the tradition of the Lantern Parade is based on the famous legend of St Martin who was travelling on a cold winter day when he expressed his compassion and generosity with the poorest of the poor. Calgary weather simply ensured we'd get an authentic environment for the event.
This year, the parade attracted over 200 participants who brought many beautiful lanterns that lit up the pathways of Edworthy Park. With the help of the grant we were able to hand out hundreds of cups of hot chocolate to keep everyone warm. And so they were able to stay around the bonfire, sing traditional lantern songs, chat with each other. A great community building event!
Moreover, being involved with Calgary 2012 allowed us to get much more publicity and raise awareness about a unique cultural event that is not very well known around here. It is truly amazing how those GIG have been able to showcase the immense diversity of cultural activities present in our city.
Posted on December 5, 2012 - 11:30