The latest article on the German Culture site at BellaOnline.com features:


SUMMER SOLSTICE AND MIDSUMMER EVE IN GERMANY

Thought of as a triumph of sun and light over cold and darkness by 'the ancients', Solstice, is still celebrated by huge bonfires throughout Germany, and like many of Germany's festivities those for Sommer-Sonnenwende, summer solstice, and Johannisnacht, midsummer eve, can be traced back to pagan and pre-Christian days.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art172089.asp




germanculture.bellaonline.com has many more articles covering life and living in Germany, and a forum:

http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=247

Hope to hear from you sometime, either in the forum or in response to this email message, if you have any comments, questions or ideas for topics you would like covering.



Francine McKenna, German Culture Editor
http://germanculture.bellaonline.com