-- Candlemas (Liichtmesdag)

Candlemas Day (Liichtmesdag)

Saturday, 2 February 2013

Candlemas always falls on February 2, and as its name suggests, refers to a Catholic mass in which candles are used in the ceremony.  In Luxembourg, the holiday is called Liichtmesdag and marks the beginning of the Carnival season. For full details on this holiday, click here.

On Liichtmesdag, the children go from door to door in the late afternoon or early evening with lighted candles or lanterns, singing a traditional song (Léiwer Härgottsblieschen) to beg for treats.

BE SURE TO HAVE SOME CANDY OR SMALL CHANGE ON HAND, in case some children come to you door.

The lanterns (Liichtebengelchen) can be purchased in the toy or costume section of supermarkets (e.g., Cactus, Auchan, Cora) and at toy stores (e.g., Maxi Toys). Some shopping centers organize their own lantern-making workshop and promenade for the children. Check their websites for details. Here are the details about the one organized at Auchan this week:

Auchan Shopping Center

Make your own lantern (14:00-18:00):

Tuesday, 29 Jan

Thu, 31 Jan

Sat, 2 Feb

Participate in parade

Sat, 2 Feb (15:00)

Take your lantern on a parade through the shopping center and receive sweets from Rik & Rok (Auchan’s mascots). (you probably can bring any lantern, not just the ones made at the workshop)

SONG: Here is the song the children sing when they promenade:

Léiwer Härgottsblieschen	Dear Little St. Blasius
Léiwer Härgottsblieschen,	Dear little St. Blasius,
Gitt ons Speck Ierbessen	Give us bacon and peas.
Ee Pond, Pond Zwee,	One pound, two pounds,
Dat da anert Joer gitt der gesond,	So that next year you will be healthy.
Da gitt der gesond.	You will be healthy.
Loosst Déi jonk Leit liewen.	Let the young people live.
Loosst Déi al Leit stierwen,	Let the old ones die.
Kommt der net ball	If you don’t come fast,
On Feiss ginn kal ons.	Our feet will get cold.
Kommt Der net gläich,	If you don’t come at once,
Wed da gi op Schlaich.	We will slip away.
Kommt der net geschwënn,	If you don’t come soon,
On Feiss ginn ons Denn.	Our feet will get thin.
Kommt Der net gewëss,	If you don’t come for certain,
Da Der Kritt e Schouss voll Ness.	You will get a lap full of nuts.