Apr 6, 2015
Osterfeuer (Easter bonfire), Hückeswagen, Germany 2015 (c) Bart Rozalski Many people gather around large bonfires reaching several meters high on the eve of Easter Sunday. Often the wood of old Christmas trees is used for this occasion. This German custom is actually an old pagan ritual dating back to before Christ to symbolize the coming of spring. Back then it was believed that any home or field shone upon by the light of the fire would be protected from sickness and misfortune.