To help you and keep you company on this somewhat special day, we have collected it in this article all the information and resources to best celebrate November 11th.
November 11th is the feast of Sint Maarten, or Saint Martin of Tours, a Roman soldier who converted to Christianity in the 4th century AD. There legend he says that the soldier divided his cloak with the sword and gave it to a beggar, to protect him from the cold.
Watch the video in this reel that the Stivaletto friends made some time ago to tell us about it:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1131055250848568
The feast of Saint Martin is celebrated in different ways in Italy and throughout Europe, but in the Netherlands the day of Sint Maarten is particularly heartfelt, especially by girls and boys.
A parade with songs and lanterns
Tradition dictates that each child prepares, at school or at home, a lantern with colored paper, cardboard and a candle (which can be purchased in all supermarkets during this period). In the evening, after sunset, the children meet up and, usually accompanied by their parents, go around the neighborhood singing the typical songs of Sint Maarten, in exchange for sweets, sweets and fruit.
If instead of accompanying the parade, you stay at home, first prepare a nice basket with sweets, sweets or fruit to offer to those who will come by to sing for you.
And remember: keep the light on near the window, so girls and boys will know that you are at home!
How to make a lantern
If you have never prepared a paper lantern, watch these two tutorials to make one with us:
- Simple lantern: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dsMfr0q-UQ
- Fish-shaped lantern: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6WWe8ihrOA
What songs to sing
And here are also the lyrics of the typical songs of this day, to sing for all the neighbors: