Epiphany: The Day of the Three Kings is on January 6 and the day is a holiday in Bavaria. And, the Coopers (wooden barrel makers) of Munich take to the stage for their famous dance.
Three Kings' Day
Children dress up as the three kings who visited Jesus in the manger in Bethlehem. The kids knock on doors and offer to write a symbol of blessing over the top of people's entry-way doors. In exchange, the “blesee” is expected to give a donation to the Sternsinger, an organization that does various charitable works around the world. This year, money raised is going to help handicapped kids in Peru. You can see a great video about the tradition here.
If you have been to Germany, perhaps you have seen the chalk inscription above the doors? The formula is quite simple: the 20 and the 19 on either end signify the current year. I have heard two storied about the meaning of C+M+B and have had locals get vehement about my telling the "wrong" story. One version is that it stands for the names of the 3 wise men, Kaspar, Melchior, and Balthasar. The second story is that the C M B stands for the latin, “Christus Mansionem Benedicat” – basically, God Bless this House.
The Coopers
In 1517 Munich's barrel makers first danced in public to celebrate the end of the plague and to show everyone is was again safe to socialize. The dance is performed only every seven years, so don't miss your change to experience it in 2019. A list of dates is available (in Germany only) here. In 2017 an exception was made to the rule to celebrate the 500th anniversary and you can see a video of it here. If you look closely, you can see my wife and I in the front row or spectators!
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