Roosevelt Island Parents' Network Adults And Kids Walk And Sing Songs At St Martins Day Paper Lantern Procession

Roosevelt Island Parents' Network Coordinator (RIPN) Eva Bosbach shares these photos and reports on the November 11 St. Martins Paper Lantern Procession:

As some of you know, we have a group of German speaking parents here on RI who organized a Roosevelt Island procession with children carrying paper lanterns last year on St. Martin's Day. This year we extended the invitation to all RI Parents' Network families!

We started with the reading of the St. Martin story in German and English.

When it got darker, we began the procession from Good Shepherd Plaza

to the Pier

with children holding their lit-up paper lanterns

and interested children and adults singing some traditional St. Martin songs.

Thanks to all who came and a special thank you to Tina, Barbara, Saskia, Lisa, Lisa's husband and Rike for preparing the story and pictures, printing out and copying coloring sheets

with the theme, preparing sheets with song lyrics for all, leading the walk, taking pictures and organizing the lantern making workshop for children.

Looking forward to see everyone at the next activity :),

The St Martins Day Lanterns were made the previous day

Images From RIPN

at the RIPN Crafts For Kids Workshop.

According to the U.S. German Mission:

"Lantern, lantern, sun, moon, and stars. . . " This refrain echoes through the autumn streets of Germany every year on November 11. Happy children with colorful, handmade lanterns promenade through the streets, cheerfully singing songs they learned by heart. The candles in the lanterns flicker playfully, bringing a sparkle to the children’s eyes. Brimming with excitement, each child hopes to catch a glimpse of the man dressed in a medieval soldier’s uniform and his proud steed as they lead the procession of children....

... Legend has it that at the gates of Amiens Martin met a poor, scantily clothed beggar, who asked him for help from the freezing cold. But Martin had nothing with him other than his military cloak, so he decided to share it with the man. With one stroke, he split his warm cloak in two and gave one half to the man, who was deeply grateful. After performing this act of generosity, Martin left the military service and had himself baptized a Christian so he could help people in need and value love greater than force.

Learn about St Martins Day here.