Easter Fire

Easter bonfires are lit in many places at Easter the liturgy of the Church and because of different customs. Dolls or objects to be burned in some regions in the Easter festivities, Judas Iscariot represent (→ Judas burning ).

History

As a secular folk custom the Easter fire is attested from 1559. Pre-Christian traditions are not used. The discovered since 1906, places are usually fire pits or Gargruben, a relation of the traditions of Easter, etc. can not be established. The research refers to it as a cult fire or fireplaces places.

Liturgy

At the beginning of the liturgy of the Easter Vigil in the Catholic Church is kindled a small fire, the Easter fire. After the community has gathered around the Easter fire, the priests lit on fire, the paschal candle that is worn after the consecration as a light in the dark church. The burning candle symbolizes Christ as the light of this world. As once the people of Israel followed the pillar of fire through the desert, so the faithful to follow Jesus Christ along the way from death to life. In the Easter fire, the remnants of the Holy oils are often burned from the previous year.

Customs

Also called Easter fire in the Tradition Easter Meiler be ignited partly on Holy Saturday, in some places, especially in Westphalia / Lippe, even until the evening of Easter Sunday. In Sauerland they are often burned only on Easter Monday evening.

It is as high as possible piled stacks of wood from tree and shrub cuttings. In some places, at the top of the stack a witch doll made ​​of straw. The wood piles are built on fields that they are visible from afar. The custom is common, especially in rural areas where the villages hold a competition for the highest fire and guard the pile of wood in the nights before Easter. On Holy Saturday you can then meet to socialize beer or mulled wine and a delicacy from the grill. In this social gathering is kindled even in some areas of Brandenburg a contest, with money stakes for public purposes such as the fire brigade office, on the date of burning or being bent over a standard established in the woodpile of birch. The Easter bonfires along the lower Elbe attract many onlookers.

Since the wood stacks are accumulated over many weeks, hole up here often small animals that need to be chased away before lighting. Therefore, conservationists warn Osterfeuern. A good solution is to reallocate the wood pile prior to lighting. In many places Osterfeuer require approval today. Partly also pruning is burned, which can not be composted due to insect infestation. This burning is even more environmentally friendly disposal of this material. Also, are frequently collected in Westphalia after the Epiphany, the Christmas trees of various youth organizations and also burned.

In the resin fire hot Easter Meiler, they are piled with sticks and spruce green, on top there is a large spruce vertically. In North Frisia, especially on the North Frisian Islands are known the custom of Biikebrennens on 21 February. In Fulda country there is a similar custom of Hutzelfeuers on Sunday after Ash Wednesday.

In some regions of Germany dolls or objects are burned in the Easter festivities, Judas Iscariot represent ( Judas burning ).

Osterfeuer as service in Austria

Generally

Throughout Austria, the Easter applies at the Easter Vigil as a popular custom. Especially in the Alps the Easter fire is considered for a long time as an integral part of the Easter Vigil. On the slopes or in the valley partly meter high wood fires are lit. Most of these consist of garden section, and many a Christmas tree, but also artfully stacked fire can be observed. The fires are mostly after visiting the Resurrection at or after the family Easter celebration in friendly company.

Density and (environmental) problems

As in the Eastern Alps, the density of the Easter fire is often very high - but are in small towns 10 Osterfeuer not uncommon - lies on Easter Sunday usually a thick smog cloud over the valleys. For excitement following the announcement in which fine dust -ridden provincial capital of Graz and the surrounding area from 2007 Osterfeuer only be approved if it has been registered as riflemen's meeting.

In April 2011, a new law was passed in this regard. This means that Customs fire of any kind in Graz are invariably and prohibited throughout the year. Communities in the immediate vicinity of Graz is in each case a Customs fire per site allowed, provided it is timely reported and approved by the authorities. In the rest of Styria and individuals Customs fire may ignite; also fire small regional customs are allowed. However, these fires must be reported to the competent authority .. In many places in Carinthia in 2012 Osterfeuer were banned due to serious drought.

Since many fires are preparing for days and weeks, it often happens that colonize small animals in the material hills and then burn if ignited the fire with. The operators often try to avoid this by systematically distribute such animals. This is one of the ancillary tasks of the below guards.

Premature ignition

At times, the pre-built fire stack for the Easter of mostly young people, on the night of Holy Saturday as possible unnoticed inflamed ( " cooling down fire "). This has even led to young people and children, who had set up a sleeping area in the Easter bonfire stack in burned alive. to prevent this, many fires are guarded or otherwise protected.