AMERICAN
LUTHERAN GERMAN HERITAGE DISCOVERY
Martin Luther Festivals in Germany 2011
By Paul Wade
Though
many Americans are only now digging deeper into their immigrant heritage
with the
interest in television shows like “Who Do You Think Your Are?” and
ancestry research sites like Ancestry.com, much of the American pioneer
spirit which drove revolution and a strong American connection to God
and Country came from the arrival of Germans in the pre-revolutionary
days. Many of the German immigrants who settled in the Eastern shores
were Lutherans, followers of the originator of the ideas of reform
begun
200 years before when a monk and teacher in Wittenberg nailed his objections
to Catholic indulgences on the doors of a church. The 500 year anniversary
of Martin Luther’s “Reformation” is still a few years
away in 2017, but perhaps 2011 might be a good opportunity to travel
to the old country to discover the foundations of this unique part of
the
American
heritage.
In 1742, Henry Melchior
Muhlenberg arrived in North America. And the impact of this Lutheran
minister resonates today. When early German colonists
in Pennsylvania needed a pastor, Muhlenberg answered their call. He left
eastern Germany for Philadelphia. The 31-year-old Lutheran priest also
provided leadership for congregations all along the eastern seaboard,
from New York to Georgia. Today, he is regarded as the founder of the
Lutheran Church in the United States. But Muhlenberg’s influence
was more than religious. His son, Peter was a Major General in the Continental
Army and elected to the U.S. Congress. Another son, Frederick was not
only the first Speaker of the House in the U.S. Congress; his signature
is the first on the Bill of Rights. Both studied at university in Halle
(Saale), Germany, before devoting themselves to public service in the
USA. The family name lives on from Muhlenberg College, Allentown, PA
to Muhlenberg County, KY.
Martin Luther Festival Touring 2011
This year, 2011, sees the 300th anniversary of Henry Melchior Muhlenberg’s birth. In Halle (Saale), the Francke Foundations is mounting an exhibition about Muhlenberg and the city’s centuries-old relationship with the U.S.A. And this year is also part of the decade-long build-up to the celebrations marking the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017, centering on Martin Luther and on “LutherCountry”, the region of Germany (mostly in the former east) where Luther lived and worked in the 16th century. And, one of the best ways to enjoy the region which is also a bargain for European travel is to be there for a festival.
THURINGIA BACH FESTIVAL April 15- May 8
Thuringia’s largest festival of classical music pays homage to
Johann Sebastian Bach, another great Lutheran and one of the world’s
great composers. Bach sites in the region include the outstanding Bachhaus
Museum in Eisenach, his ancestral homes in Erfurt and Wechmar, the church
where he was married (Dornheim) and towns where he composed much of his
early work (Muehlhausen, Arnstadt, Weimar). Focusing on Baroque music,
performed in eleven historic venues, the festival is fun whether you
are a classical music lover, or just enjoy history and atmosphere. Thuringia
Bach
LUTHERSTADT WITTENBERG June 17 - 19
One
of Germany’s most romantic celebrations is Luther’s Wedding
Festival. In June, 1525, Martin Luther married Katharina von Bora. The
love story of Luther and Katharina is one of the great untold stories.
Expect three days of music, a medieval craft market and more. The highlight
is the wedding procession through the cobbled central streets led by “Martin” and “Katharina”. Wittenberg
LUTHERSTADT
WITTENBERG October 31 to November 1
Reformation Day is the anniversary of Luther’s nailing the 95 Theses
to Wittenberg’s church door (see Wittenberg Castle Church). The
city stages its annual Reformation Festival, with everything from church
services (presented also in English) to a Renaissance Music Festival
and medieval fun and games in the old market square.
ERFURT November 10
Martin Luther was born on St Martin’s Day, and in Erfurt, one of
Germany’s prettiest cities, the two events are celebrated with
gusto. On the vast main square, street musicians play medieval music
and children parade in fancy dress. Traditional treats include delicious
roast goose, as well as Martinshoernchen, sweet cakes that are perfect
with a cup of coffee. Erfurt
Other sites and cities to visit in Germany associated Martin Luther and the Reformation include - Wartburg where Luther first began his bible translation while hiding from the authorities and doing battle with the devil (see Wartburg Castle Inkwell), Worms near the Rhine where Luther faced the Diet of Worms (see Worms Cathedral), Heidelberg and Dresden (see Our Lady Church Dresden). © Bargain Travel Europe
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These articles are copyrighted and the sole property of Bargain Travel Europe and WLPV, LLC. and may not be copied or reprinted without permission. Paul Wade is a UK based writer specializing in Germany
See Also:
WALKING & CYCLING THE LUTHER ROUTE
CITY NIGHT LINE - GERMAN SLEEPER TRAIN
DR GRAMS GERMAN ANCESTRY TOURS
KAISER WILHELM CHURCH - BERLIN
BERLIN'S DOM CATHEDRAL & HOHENZOLLERN CRYPT
MUSEUMS OF THE ZWINGER - ART, PORCELAIN & ARMOR
