Back Alpine Region: Protestant’s traditions led to chocolates behind the windows!

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The advent calendar “Im Lande des Christkinds” (detail) was illustrated by Richard Ernst Keppler, based on the idea of Gerhard Lang.

The advent calendar “Im Lande des Christkinds” (detail) was illustrated by Richard Ernst Keppler, based on the idea of Gerhard Lang.

The Advent calendar is a way a counting the days of Advent in anticipation of Christmas. This tradition comes from German protestants in the 19th century. Gerhard Lang (1881-1974), son of a Swabian parishioner, popularized this tradition at the beginning of the 20th century through a printed advent calendar. Back then the calendar windows opened to reveal an image or a Christmas verse, now often replaced by chocolates.

Huguenot and Waldensian were two Christian movements originating from France and Italy. Considered as heretics in their homeland, many of them moved, especially during the 16th and 17th century, to Protestant neighboring countries such as Germany and Switzerland.

The Huguenot and Waldensian Trail is certified "Cultural Route of the Council of Europe" since 2013. The hiking trail aims to highlight the historical exile of the Huguenots and Waldensians and their step-by-step integration in the host countries as a component of our common European history and cultural heritage. It also puts the spotlight on freedom, respect for human rights, tolerance and solidarity as European core values.

 


If you enjoyed this story from the Alpine Region, we recommend you:
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* Meet with the Santa from the Baltic Sea Region
Alpine Region December 2018
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