Apart from being Armistice Day, today is also St Martin's day. He was reputedly a Roman soldier who turned to being a monk. He led a simple life, and tried to hide in a barn full of geese when people came round to make him a bishop. The cackling of geese gave him away.
St Martin's day is celebrated across continental Europe, see this article in Wikipedia for more details. In Holland and Belgium, you may find children going round the streets, carrying candle lanterns and singing songs. The festival is linked to St Nicholas (5 December) and Santa Claus (25 December).
I've never heard of that before. Thanks for sharing it with us. Linda in Washington state
ReplyDeleteInteresting article, I never knew of this before.
ReplyDeleteLisa