February 2 is a holiday in Luxembourg called Liichtmësdag.
Liichtmëssdag is Luxembourgish for “light mass day.” The celebration harks back to the Pagan holiday of Imbolc, a celebration where farmers performed rituals they believed would ensure a stable source of food. This occurred at the midpoint between winter and spring, as food stocks grew low and as the days slowly grew longer. Torch processions took place and fires were lit in celebration of Brigid, the goddess of fire, healing and fertility, and symbolized the increasing power of the sun in the coming months – which, of course, is a critical factor in growing bountiful crops.
On the evening of Liichtmëssdag, children gather with homemade lanterns and walk from door to door in their towns singing a song called “Härgottsblieschen” in exchange for candy. The song wishes for a healthy and prosperous year in exchange for treats. Liichtmëssdag literally translates into light mass day.
Last week, Otto's teachers sent home a note asking I buy a little toy lantern at a neighborhood bodega, Smatch. I bought two, wrote Otto's name on one and sent it to school with him last Friday.
His teachers also asked if I would be willing to hand out candy to the two preschool classes if they were to stop by and sing a song. I was so excited to comply! According to Soren (Ben's colleague at PwC), this holiday is one of the best parts about being a child in Luxembourg.
When the children arrived and started singing, I took as many pictures and videos as I could and clapped and yelled. I'm sure I really embarrassed Otto. I'm sure I looked like a ridiculously over-excited American woman. I do both a lot.
I wasn't sure how much candy to have or if anyone would ring our bell and sing for candy because holidays here are confusing. There's such a mixture of cultures and some people celebrate holidays and others don't.
Two groups of kids came by and dutifully sang for candy. We have lots of chocolate left over. Not a problem.
Chandeleur
In French tradition, Chandeleur (Candlemas) is celebrated by eating a crêpe. In fact, Chandeleur (February 2) is also often referred to as National Crêpe Day. Since the shape of the crêpe is round and gold – just like the sun – it is a food that celebrates the fact that spring is just around the corner.
Several legends have become attached to the eating of crêpes on this day. One instructs people to save the first crêpe that is made in their cupboard as a sort of sacrifice to ensure a bountiful harvest later in the year. Another legend predicts that if the crêpe can be flipped successfully while the cook holds a coin in the other hand, a family will have prosperity in the coming year. In one version of the crêpe-flipping legend, the cook is specifically instructed to hold either a piece of gold or a failing currency in their right hand while flipping the crêpe with their left.
Since none of this information mattered to Otto, Aksel, and Ingrid, I told them it was a special pancake holiday and we sang and danced around the kitchen while I made them crêpes. Ingrid loved them. Aksel didn't even try them and Otto really wanted one but couldn't stay awake long enough to eat one. Ben and I enjoyed them. And we plan on enjoying the every February 2 from here on out.
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