November 11 is St. Marten's Day in the Netherlands. Children make their own lantern and go door to door with their lantern singing St. Marten's songs, in exchange for sweets.
The history about this custom goes back to St. Martin of Tours, who started out as a Roman soldier. He was baptized as an adult and became a monk. The most famous legend of his life is that he once cut his cloak in half to share with a beggar during a snowstorm, to save the beggar from dying of the cold.
The modern version of this legend is that we share the candy with each other. This was my plate with sweets to offer to the children. As you can see, the children carry huge bags to put the sweets in.....
That is a sweet tradition. The children look cute.
BeantwoordenVerwijderen