November 10 – Rebenlichter in Switzerland

PostednNovember 10, 2013

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nLongnbefore there was such a nation as the United States of America, letnalone kids in the U.S. carving pumpkins into lanterns, kids innSwitzerland were carving beets and/or turnips into lanterns. n

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nBeetnand turnip lanterns seem pretty challenging to me, because these rootnvegetables are solid rather than hollow fruits filled with pulp andnseeds—and because root vegetables tend to be so much smaller thannpumpkins!

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nApparentlynbeets and turnips were among the last vegetables harvested, which isnperhaps why the Swiss focused their harvest processions on thesenparticular roots. These days, large beets and turnips are grownnespecially for Rebenlichter.

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Kidsnhollow out their beets or turnips, and carve patterns into theirnsurfaces. These days, they generally carve their lanterns in school.nLater, they light candles inside their lanterns as they walk in anprocession through the streets of their town. All of the ordinarynlights of the town are turned off so that everyone can enjoy thenlantern light!

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nInhave read that the experience of walking through their dark town withnjust the light from root lanterns (but around 10,000 root lanterns!),nsinging along with the other children in the procession, is anbeautiful and memorable experience for Swiss children. It soundsnreally great, actually!

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nAlsonon this date:

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