Biikebrennen

Biikebrennen (of Frisian: Biike, high German beacon or fire sign ) is the North-Frisian (Schleswig -Holstein ) is a traditional folk festival which is celebrated on February 21, the eve of the festive celebration of the Chair of Peter in Antioch, briefly Petritag. It replaced here partly the otherwise widespread Easter fire.

History

The origin of the festival is unclear; probably should fire the evil spirits in the Middle Ages and protect the new seed. On the islands of the Bonfires later served in the adoption of the whalers. The women set fire to the fire along the beach to give the moving men long safe passage. One of Sylt to legend, this signal was also the Danish men on the mainland and should teach them that the island women were again alone on the farm and help with the work and " other things " needed. The start of the annual whaling season on Petritag go along with a decision of the Hanseatic cities from 1403, according to the between Martini (November 11 ) and the Chair of Peter celebration of rest for the shipping. The Petritag on February 22 was thus an important date for the medieval boat trip (end of winter break, spring start ).

The beacon still existed in the 17th and 18th centuries from primitive light beacons on the beaches, which served to sailors and whalers as a navigation aid. The newer high- bursts are probably originated only in the middle of the 19th century. The uniform determination of Biikebrennens the evening of 21 February has only introduced at the end of the 19th century.

Dissemination

Biike and Petritag ( North Frisian piddersdai or piadersdai ) are still important holidays - especially on the North Frisian islands and the islets. Also on the Danish Wadden Sea islands is the Biikebrennen awten as people or people aften (Peters evening ) known. Meanwhile, the Biikebrennen has also spread in the Schleswig-Holstein inland, for example in Stapelholm. There is, however, called Beeke burning and is traditionally celebrated on February 2.

Until the 19th century it was celebrated on the North Frisian mainland, then fell but more and more into oblivion and brought honor only slowly after the Second World War. For traditional customs are now (again ) children recite the poems in one of the North Frisian dialects.

Chance find Biikebrennen also held on the Schleswig -Holstein Baltic Sea coast, even if there is missing a cultural tradition. Thus, for example, had on 21 February 2014, the northernmost Biikebrennen on the Baltic marine life in Flensburg held for the tenth time.

Shaping

The Bonfires today consists mostly of old Christmas trees and floral arrangements that were abolished by Biikebrennen. Many use the occasion to cut bushes and burn at the Biike. Each village community and many farms have their own Bonfires, the center of ceremonial activities such as singing or acting are. On the islands of Fohr, Amrum and Sylt next to other traditions emerged as the premature ignition of the fire to neighboring villages.

In some villages, a straw doll is burned in the fire. The burned in the fire of straw doll is called Peter males and has, so the presumption is nothing ( ie the Petrine office) to do with Saint Peter, but with the Pope and the associated Christian faith, which was rejected. On the following day, February 22, the Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of the Chair of Peter, so the chair of the Pope, or the primacy of the Petrine ministry as regards the teaching profession. A correlation of Peter the male, which is thrown into the Bonfires, with the office of the Pope in Rome is thus near. The straw doll also symbolizes the winter, which will now be expelled.

Elsewhere, one might find on the Biikespitze an old wooden barrel or bucket, with the fall of the winter is over. On Sylt an address is given on Sylt Frisian prior to lighting the Biike that is often repeated subsequently in German translation. Often speaks a pastor or mayor; in many cases there are also the Frisian knowledgeable citizens who hold the speech: It ends with an invitation Maaki di biiki ön ( power at the Biike ).

After Biike there is traditionally a kale meal. On Sylt and Fohr school children have the next day free.

The fuel

Inflammation of the Biike - cluster

Entflammender Biike pile

Inflamed Biike pile

Burnt down Biike pile