On November 11th, a unique spectacle unfolds in Germany. As children carry glowing lanterns through the streets to honour St. Martin, a chorus of 'Alaaf' and 'Helau' erupts from colourfully dressed carnival revellers. This seemingly odd pairing is no mere coincidence. In fact, these two distinct celebrations share a deep, common origin that dates back several centuries.
The Saint and the Soldier: The Legacy of Martin of Tours
The story begins with Bishop Martin of Tours, who died on November 8, 397 AD. His burial took place three days later, on November 11, an event so significant it established the date for his annual commemoration. The most famous legend of his life tells of his time as a Roman soldier, when he famously cut his cloak in half to share with a beggar. This act of profound charity, not martyrdom, earned him his sainthood, making him a popular patron for the poor, craftsmen, winegrowers, and farmers.
From Harvest's End to the Last Feast
In the Middle Ages, St. Martin's Day signalled the end of the farming year. The harvest was complete, grapes were picked, and rents were paid, often with fattened geese. With wages distributed and livestock slaughtered for winter, a grand celebration was in order. This feast allowed people to consume perishable foods like meat, eggs, and dairy before a period of abstinence. Surprisingly, Advent was once a strict six-week fasting period, much like Lent before Easter, beginning after November 11. This fasting tradition was only abolished by the Roman Catholic Church in 1917.
The Number 11: Fools, Feasts, and a Final Fling
Before the solemnity of Advent, people were allowed one last exuberant celebration. The date, November 11, also conveniently poked fun at the Church. The number 11 sits between the sacred numbers 10 (the Commandments) and 12 (the Apostles), disrupting divine order and becoming associated with fools and jesters. This is why the Carnival season officially kicks off on November 11 at 11:11 a.m. In Rhineland strongholds, the revelry begins loudly, goes quiet, and then re-emerges in January, culminating in the famous six-day street carnival before Ash Wednesday.
So, on one day, two opposites attract. The Church honours a saint of charity and light, while carnival celebrates freedom and laughter. November 11 is a date full of beautiful contrasts, reminding us of compassion, the joy of sharing, and the simple, unbridled celebration of life itself.
