Seven-year-old Fynn impresses as St. Martin in Neunkirchen!

Seven-year-old Fynn impresses as St. Martin in Neunkirchen!

A very special St. Martin is expected in Neunkirchen in the coming weeks: seven-year-old Fynn will parade through the streets as a rider in the traditional lantern parades. On the back of his horse, he will embody the message of sharing and charity, which are closely linked to the celebrations surrounding St. Martin's Day. According to the Saarbrücken newspaper This tradition is no coincidence; The Bach family is deeply rooted in St. Martin's celebrations. They have been riding St. Martin's Day parades in Neunkirchen-Stadt, Furpach and other parts of the city for over 40 years.

The story behind the family is particularly interesting. Hans-Werner Bach, Fynn's grandfather, was the first to appear as St. Martin. The tradition goes back to the 1980s, when it all started with a converted soldier's helmet from the Neunkirchen ironworks. Randolf Bach, Fynn's father, took over the role from his father, but has to give up riding due to a chronic illness. Fynn, who competes and spends a lot of time in the stables, will now follow in the footsteps of his father and grandfather.

Lantern parades and their meaning

The Lantern Run, celebrated on or around November 11th, is a German tradition often organized by kindergartens and schools. Children between the ages of five and twelve parade through the streets with colorful, often homemade lanterns while singing traditional songs. This tradition commemorates Saint Martin of Tours, who lived in the 4th century. He helped a beggar by sharing his cloak, which symbolizes charity and compassion reports Wikipedia.

The parades are not only a celebration of light, but also of togetherness. During the lantern walk, the importance of solidarity and community is often highlighted. Children make lanterns, which they proudly present during the parade, accompanied by St. Martin's songs such as “Lantern, Lantern” and “I'm going with my lantern”. These songs not only address the act of sharing, but also promote a sense of community as Playing with Style explains.

A family steeped in tradition

The Bach family shows a lot of commitment to the tradition of St. Martin's Day and is planning six parades around November 11th this year. This also includes visits to a kindergarten and the Pallotti House, where the light of the lanterns brings hope. In addition, there are already requests for St. Martin's parades until 2026, as fewer and fewer horse owners offer this tradition notes the Saarbrücker Zeitung.

The Bachs place particular emphasis on tradition and reject more modern, neutral approaches. Randolf is also very careful to grow the feed for the three family horses - Woody, Orlando and Jacky, an Irish sports pony - himself in order to ensure quality and minimize health risks from poisonous plants such as ragwort. The problem of dog poop on the meadows used for growing hay is also an issue that the family has to address.

As we look forward to the upcoming lantern parades, Fynn is sure to delight many hearts and bring home the tradition of St. Martin's Day. By performing as St. Martin, he will not only embody the values ​​of sharing and charity, but will also play an important role in preserving this beautiful tradition.