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The Feast of St Barbara on 4 December is a traditional festival in honour of St Barbara, the patron saint of miners. It serves to commemorate and give thanks for an accident-free year and to pray for protection for the coming Jahr♥️.
Various festivals, processions and church services are held to honour this traditional custom. In some cases, the traditional miners' uniforms are even worn during parades. These are decorated with 29 buttons, symbolising the 29 years of Barbara's life.
The tradition goes back to the legend that Barbara found refuge in a crevice while fleeing from her father, which establishes the link to mining . The first Barbara festivals were celebrated as early as the 18th century.
However, there are also numerous customs outside of the mining industry to celebrate St Barbara's Day. In this country, it is a widespread custom to cut fruit tree branches on this day, e.g. from a cherry tree, and then place them in a vase of water. If these branches blossom at Christmas, this is interpreted as a good omen for the coming year🌼.
For our construction sites in Mörlenbach, Berkersklamm Tunnel and Kisselhöhe Tunnel, yesterday's festivities were definitely a good omen and a nice way to get in the mood for the upcoming Christmas season🎄.
"Glück Auf" and good luck for your future milestones, may St Barbara protect you in all your endeavours🍀.
We wish you all a happy 2nd Advent🕯️🕯️.
