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Celebrating Christi Himmelfahrt in Saxony-Anhalt: Unconventional Church Services and Outdoor Activities
Magdeburg — Saxony-Anhalt observed Ascension Day, or Christi Himmelfahrt, with unique outdoor church services and a range of leisure activities.
People attended services in meadows, vineyards, and forest clearings throughout the region. Events also took place at unorthodox locations, such as fortresses, lakes, and parks, as reported by the Evangelical Church in Central Germany (EKM).
The EKM revealed that the celebrations included hikes, bike tours, theater performances, concerts, and even baptisms.
Highlights of the festivities included a gospel church service in Klangkirche Haardorf (Burgenlandkreis), "Ascension Day by the Dike" on the Elbe in Rabel, church services at Uchte spring in Uchtspringe (Stendal district), on the Koenigstein in Westerhausen in the Harz, and on the grounds of the Baggerstadt Ferropolis near Graefenhainichen (Wittenberg district).
In addition to these services, the church communities of the Evangelical Church of Anhalt welcomed large numbers of people to special Ascension Day church services, such as those in Ballenstedt district in the Harz, Dessau-Roßlau, and Thurland (Anhalt-Bitterfeld district).
Groups of men in costumes with wheelbarrows added to the cityscape, alongside well-populated cafes, restaurants, and ice cream parlors. Ascension Day, also known as Men's Day, Father's Day, or Herrentag, is celebrated ecumenically and is a public holiday in Germany, always falling on a Thursday.
It should be noted that Ascension Day is marked 40 days after Easter Sunday, providing an opportunity for people to enjoy outdoor activities and extended weekends. Although there may be local traditions specific to Saxony-Anhalt, they were not detailed in the available search results. For more information on local customs or events, contacting local tourism boards or community centers might be beneficial.
Images Courtesy of Lars Penning/dpa
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During the celebrations of Christi Himmelfahrt in Saxony-Anhalt, outdoor-living and home-and-garden experiences were extended as people enjoyed hikes, bike tours, and theater performances in picturesque locations such as meadows, vineyards, and parks. The unique lifestyle of the region was further accentuated by church services held in unconventional settings like fortresses, lakes, and even an ice cream parlor, as part of the diverse leisure activities offered.
