Alles Gute zum Vatertag! Happy Father’s Day in Germany

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Although Father’s Day is this weekend in the U.S., it falls on a different day in different regions of the world. Father’s day in Germany is always on “Christi Himmelfahrt” (Acension Day) which is always 40 days after Easter. This year it was on May 28.

Father’s day is also called Männertag or Herrentag (Day of Men) where in the old days men would gather together to drink a beer on their Vaterschaft (Fatherhood). Nowadays is more like a family day which might include a small weekend vacation. Just like on Mother’s Da,y it’s about showing your gratitude toward your parents. Your appreciation could be as little as a self-made drawing that you make in kindergarten (pre-school) or a tie that you purchase in a big kaufhaus (department store).

And of course, you’ll want to include some nice peoms either on a greeting card or on a nice letter.

Here are some great poems for kids and adults:

Mein Papa ist ein Supermann
der einfach alles richten kann.
Er weiß ganz viel – ist echt gescheit,
zum Spielen mit mir gern bereit.
Ist groß und stark, fast wie ein Bär,

trägt auf der Schulter mich umher.

Er wirft mich hoch und fängt mich auf.
Und ich verlasse mich darauf,
weil Papa eben alles kann,
denn schließlich ist er Supermann.
(Anita Menger)

Translates to:

My dad is a super man
who can straighten out everything.
He knows a lot - he is really clever,
he is ready to play with me whenever.
He is big and strong, almost like a bear,
on his shoulders he carries me here and there.
He throws me up and catches me.
I rely on him that, because he can do anything
Simply because he is Superman.

Mein Held
Du warst mein Held in Kindertagen,
gabst Antwort mir auf alle Fragen.
Ich hab’ Dir voll und ganz vertraut
mit Dir im Sand die Burg gebaut.
Und heute, nach so vielen Jahren
sollst Du es noch einmal erfahren
Ich sage Dir in Dankbarkeit
Du bleibst mein Held – in Ewigkeit.
(Klaus Enser-Schlag)

Translates to:

My hero
You were my hero in my childhood,
you gave me answers to al my questions.
I trusted you fully and built sand castles with you.
And now, after so many years,
you shall hear it again
I’m telling in gratitude
you are my hero — in eternity.