Father's Day

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Lesson Transcript

Hello, and welcome to the Culture Class- Holidays in Germany Series at GermanPod101.com. In this series, we’re exploring the traditions behind German holidays and observances. I’m Matt, and you're listening to Season 1, Lesson 13 - Father's Day.

In this lesson, we will discuss how people celebrate Father's Day in Germany. Father's Day or Vatertag was introduced as a special day honoring fathers. It does not always have the same calendar date because it falls on the 40th day of Easter and the date of Easter varies depending on the cycle of the moon.

Now, before we get into more detail, I've got a question for you-

On which public holiday is Father's Day celebrated every year in Germany?

If you don't already know, you’ll find out a bit later, so keep listening!

On Father's Day, a so-called "gentlemens' party" or Herrentagsparty takes place in some German regions. As the name suggests, only men are allowed to take part in this traditional event. It could be a walk, or an outing on horse-drawn carriages, or a stroll on the beach. During or at the end of the day, the participants often stop at a restaurant to enjoy a meal together.

The tradition of Father's Day comes from the United States. There, Father’s Day was founded by Sonora Smart Dodd. Because her father had fought in the American Civil War, in 1910 she called for a movement to honor the sacrifice of fathers everywhere. Eventually this day to honor fathers was also incorporated in German culture.

On Father's Day, some families go out for family trips or go on vacation together on an extended weekend, usually referred to as verlängertes Wochenende. The Friday after Father's Day is a so-called “bridge day” or Fenstertag, meaning it is a school holiday for children as well. Many fathers or parents go out with their children to the zoo or for a picnic, for example.

Some men arrange to have a special bicycle trip for their "gentlemens' party": a spacious bike that offers up to sixteen seats and makes it possible for the riders, through the incorporation of a barrel in the middle of the bike, to drink beer while riding. This bike is called Bierbike in Germany.

Now it's time to answer our quiz question-

On which public holiday is Father's Day celebrated every year in Germany?

The holiday is called Ascension Day. The Solemnity of the Catholic Church is always forty days after Easter, so between April 30 and June 3. Since the 1930s, Ascension Day has been observed as a public holiday in Germany.