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The Holy Week – Die Karwoche
Easter is considered to be the most holy of all
Christian festivals as it commemorates the
death and resurrection of Christ.
The Holy Week which starts on Palm Sunday
and ends on Holy Saturday is known as the
“Karwoche”.
Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday celebrations in Germany often include a
procession through the streets with a wooden donkey
on wheels. As palms do not grow in Germany, other twigs and branches are taken to church and blessed.
Traditionally,small crosses were made out of wood and put into fields to ensure a good harvest. These
were then brought home or hung in the stable. This custom still takes place in many Christian communities in Germany.
Karfreitag – Good Friday
On Good Friday, Christians remember
the suffering of Jesus on the cross.
In Catholic areas of Germany, it is seen
as a day of mourning. The church has no
decorations and the cross is covered with
a cloth. Catholics are asked to fast on this
day. They are only allowed to eat one real
meal during the day.
Karsamstag – Easter Saturday
On Easter Saturday, Germans often spend time preparing
for Sunday. Traditional food is cooked and the children
often make a nest for the Easter bunny.
At around midnight, fires are lit to scare the Winter demons
away. The spokes of giant wheels are packed with straw,
set alight and rolled down the hill. It is believed that the
field where the wheel lands will be blessed with a good harvest.
Ostersonntag – Easter Sunday
Easter Sunday is the most important day in the Easter period as Christians celebrate the resurrection of Christ. At midnight, church bells ring.
For children, it is also a time for joy. This is the day when the egg hunt begins. Brightly painted eggs have been hidden in the garden by the Easter bunny and it is time to search for them. Children may have made a nest and in it they will find chocolate eggs and bunnies.
Ostermontag –Easter Monday
Easter Monday is the last of the Easter holidays and many Germans spend this day again with their families. Easter games are very popular. Sometimes, families visit the Easter markets. Church services are also held on this day.
OSTEREIER
Children can create beautiful, decorated eggs for Easter.
Use wax crayons to create a design and then place the egg in dye. The wax will repel the dye and leave behind your design. As an alternative to wax crayons, sticky tape may be used.
Spaß mit dem Wörterbuch
Wie heißt das auf Englisch?
Frühling
Kaninchen
Osterhase
Osterei
Blumen
Küken
Lamm
Ostern
Male die Hasen an !
-fünf Hasen rot
- drei Hasen gelb
- zwei Hasen blau
- sechs Hasen orange
- vier Hasen rosa
Kekse
150g plain flour
25g cornflour
50 g caster sugar
115g butter
Use the ingredients to create your dough
Roll out
Cut out oval shapes to make Easter eggs
Place on a greased baking tray and cook in the oven at 180degrees C or Gas mark 4 for 10-12 mins
Allow to cool and then decorate your eggs with coloured icing
Easter poetry is lovely to use and can be linked with literacy, rhyme, rhythm,
Drama and previous language learning – here is a nice one !
Osterhase, Osterhase !
Im grünen, grünen Gras,
Unter Busch und Hecken
Müssen Eier stecken.
Suchen wir, suchen wir
Einmal dort, einmal hier.
Unter Busch und Hecken
Müssen Eier stecken.
Blaues Ei, rotes Ei
In den Blumen sind zwei,
Hier ein Nest, dort ein Nest,
Schön ist ein Osterfest !