A 20-minute time capsule where German men in ribbons parade with a 'pea bear' and nobody questions it.
The Candlemas Festival in Spergau in the district of Halle, one of the few examples of a traditional custom that is still largely true to the original. Archival footage from 1925 allows a comparison with current footage of the festivities. In interviews, participants talk about the significance of this custom. The colorful costume of the Candlemas runner consists of many colorful ribbons and floral decorations, which are intended to represent the reawakening of life and spring. The runner, together with other costumed figures such as the singer, trader, peep-box man, kitchen boy, sausage stick bearer, registrar, pritcher, black maker, egg woman, the pea (straw) bear, bear leader, horses and soldiers, parade through the streets from house to house, delighting the locals. The crowning glory of this Candlemas celebration, which takes place every 1st Sunday in February, is a fun party in the marquee with music and dancing.
Production
1925 footage juxtaposed with 1990 — same costumes, different film grain.
Costume
The 'pea bear' alone deserves its own spin-off documentary.
Director
Karlheinz Mund
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Candlemas (Lichtmess) marks 40 days after Christmas; this Spergau variant is one of Germany's last 'Männerfeste' (men's festivals) with exclusively male performers.
Director Karlheinz Mund specialized in documenting endangered East German folk customs before reunification made them suddenly marketable.
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