Kita Am Großen Bruch” celebrates a colorful festival of lights in Oschersleben!

Kita Am Großen Bruch” celebrates a colorful festival of lights in Oschersleben!

The annual festival of lights was celebrated in the “Am Großen Bruch” daycare center in Oschersleben on November 8, 2025. This event took place at Hornhäuser Straße 35 and was organized by the AWO. The little participants, aged two to six, were excited about the celebrations and began the event with an impressive shadow play performance about Saint Martin. The central theme of St. Martin's story, which was prepared for the children, was: “Sharing is rewarded, help strengthens the community”.

Daycare director Stefanie Happich emphasized the importance of being together and sharing in her speech. As part of the festival, the children sang happy songs such as “Lichterkinder” and each proudly received a tea light. This small light symbolized not only the festival, but also the hope and solidarity that Saint Martin represents. Warm drinks and delicious buttered pretzels ensured physical well-being, while the children shared a piece of a large yeast plait - another expression of the festival's motto.

Traditional versus modern celebration

Traditionally, the Saint Martin festival is celebrated on November 11th in many German kindergartens, with children marching through the streets with homemade lanterns, singing and listening to the story of Saint Martin of Tours. The latter is known for his mercy and charity. In recent years, however, some kindergartens have renamed the festival “Festival of Lights” or removed it from the program entirely. These renamings are often in the context of social debates about traditions, inclusion and religious neutrality, as kitafix.de explains.

The discussion about the names for the festival reflects broader social changes. While some interpret the renaming as a path to integration and inclusion, critics fear that the cultural tradition of the Saint Martin festival could be lost. Likewise, there are fears that the important message of charity will be diluted if the festival is alienated from its Christian underpinnings.

Crafting together and solidarity

Back in Oschersleben, the daycare center also thought about creative activities. In the group areas, the children made lantern glasses, which also contributed to the lighting of the outdoor area. The magic lights that resulted created a festive atmosphere and offered space for the families to pause and exchange ideas. Stefanie Happich emphasized how important such events are for building empathy and responsibility among children. Finally, a heartfelt thank you was expressed to the families, the parents' board of trustees and the entire daycare team, who all contributed to making the festival an unforgettable experience.

As a report by derwesten.de shows, many schools and kindergartens celebrate different festivals under different names, but the basic values ​​and central story remain the same. Special moments like these make it possible to preserve traditional customs and at the same time make them accessible to all children.