EXCLUSIVE: How Germans Celebrate Easter Nights

The Easter Fires, also called the Paschal fires or Osterfeuer in German, began to light up in the winter night sky with the dusk on Holy Saturday evening till it dawns on Easter Sunday, with Heralding spring, life and birth while dispelling spirits and the last traces of winter. These Fires are chasing away winter in many German and Northern European regions.

A holly week, known as Karwoche in German, began on Palm Sunday, Easter Saturday – Karsamstag, the last day of Holy Week and Lent and the Easter Fires- Osterfeuer have a long history.

The Egyptian and Pagan cultures used these fires in early spring to lure the sun down to earth, and frighten away winter, while Christians continued the tradition but added their interpretation.

A priest blessed their fires and lit a candle from the flames, carrying it into a darkened church, symbolising Christ as the world’s light.
During the holy Easter days, not all fires receive a religious blessing.

The families, friends and neighbours who gather around Easter Fires are not Pagan, neither are they Christian, and many are just there to Look at the fire and eat grilled sausages. also known as “Feuer gucken und Grill Würstchen essen”, in Germany.

The Easter flames added the symbolic ending of winter and the arrival of spring. During Easter nights, people Enjoy the company gathered around a fire, usually made from last season’s Christmas trees, with its traditions, light and warmth.

Also, the fire must be frequently checked to ensure no wildlife has made it home. As it is the nesting season, birds and other animals, such as hedgehogs, hares and mice, could easily be trapped with a terrible and painful end. The nets are often put over the fires as they are built to keep the region’s fauna out.