Beacon fires southern Germany
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Last night was St. John's Eve.
It is a tradition to mark this day, John the Baptist's birthday, in some Catholic areas
by lighting a bonfire on the top of a hill.
It was also a pagan tradition to mark the passing of the summer solstice.
It is a tradition to mark this day, John the Baptist's birthday, in some Catholic areas
by lighting a bonfire on the top of a hill.
It was also a pagan tradition to mark the passing of the summer solstice.
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usually the fires are lit on the 21st of june, to mark the beginning of summer,
in german called "sonnenwende" as from then the days are getting shorter,
now this fires are lit on the weekend before or after, for convenience.
in german called "sonnenwende" as from then the days are getting shorter,
now this fires are lit on the weekend before or after, for convenience.
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What's amazing is to fly at night over China during New Year's....
Last edited by Airbubba; 24th Jun 2012 at 13:29.
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There is a similar event in Southern Germany/Austria in January called "Funken" .. thats to celebrate "burning the wicked witch of winter" (complete with cat) ... and another great excuse to stand around in the snow by a fire with friends until the early hours drinking Gluhvine, sometimes fortified with rum 
Jack's Granddad
Saw the same last night at a few locations over Western France as we flew back from Palma to UK.
Absolutely fascinating to see a spectacular firework display from 34,000 feet above.
Absolutely fascinating to see a spectacular firework display from 34,000 feet above.
I flew from Zaragoza to Liege on the night that France won the World Cup. The whole of France was covered in bonfires and firework displays. When we got to the other end, the Belgian border could be seen very clearly in the dark. No fireworks and no bonfires!
