Breaking for Spring, 2024

Easter, Holi, and the Aurora Borealis

We’re officially on Osterferien (Easter vacation, essentially Spring Break) for the next two weeks in Germany.

We’ll have family visiting, so we’re taking the time to do some of the fun tourist stuff we never got to do when we first moved here. And we’ll take some short trips as a family, as well.

Check the Instagram page for updates if you want to see how it goes.

Here are some highlights of what we’re looking forward to in Berlin:

According to this website, the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) might be visible in Berlin for the next few nights. It’s rare that they are visible this far south of the Arctic Circle, but it does happen.

A longstanding Easter tradition in Germany are Osterfeuer (Easter fire), which are large bonfires set after dark the night before Easter Sunday.

Originally a pre-Christian pagan fertility rite to welcome spring and foment a good harvest (in some areas ashes from the fires are spread on farmers’ fields to fertilize the soil), the tradition was adopted by the church.

I have read that in some parts of Bavaria, the figure of Judas Iscariot is burned in the fire. But most places aren’t that hardcore.

Several areas around Berlin will host their own Osterfeuer, accompanied by music, food and other entertainment. (See the link above.)

Also on March 30: in the Jules B-Part area at Gleisdreieck Park a street festival honoring the Indian cultural celebration, Holi, will take place from noon to 10:30 p.m. Berlin Holi 2024 will include Bollywood music, more than 15 food stalls, dance and artist perfomances, and of course the colorful decorative body powder.

The Berliner Dom will have many different services in honor of the Easter season, as will Christian churches throughout the city.

The Britzer Baumblüte (Tree Blossom) festival at Gutspark Britz continues until April 14, with rides, food, and visits from the Easter Bunny on Easter Sunday and Monday.

I hope everyone who reads this will experience a wonderful reawakening to the new season after the long winter.

—See you in two weeks!