A note to all US readers! The images and videos below do not take place in your culture! And thereby do not carry the cultural baggage associated with such images in the US.
We are starting to see the beginnings of spring here in central Europe and one indication of this was
Buergbrennen, a festival in Luxembourg City to mark the first Sunday in Lent and the coming of spring. The festival consists of a torchlight procession from the cliffs where most of the city sits to the valley below. In the valley is a large cross which contains, what looks like, dry Christmas trees. After a bit of ceremony, the members of the procession toss their torches into the pile of hay at the base of the cross and the whole thing goes up in a big ball of flame.
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| Torchlight Procession |
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| Cross prior to Flames |
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| Cross in full Flaming Mode |
Of course, since this is central Europe, you can get a waffle or two, a beer and even soup from the stands brought in for such festivities. We found out about the festival through the ex-pat group in Luxembourg and had the chance to meet some Americans and other non-natives in the area. Despite the knowledge that this is a traditional festival for this region, I have to say, we still felt a little uncomfortable gathering around and watching a cross burn--it is amazing how deep-seated cultural identifications can be.
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