So, let's review. Yorkers like to eat sweet things.
Yorkers also like to eat fattening things.
I think I've just explained the appeal of fastnachts, right? :)
Well, Yorkers also like to eat FREE things, so when I saw this, I was overjoyed:
Fastnacht Day is coming to the Historical Society Museum, 250 E. Market St., on February 24. From 9:30 a.m. to noon, free fastnachts, coffee and tea will be served by the York County Heritage Trust Auxiliary.This event is the auxiliary's annual "thank you" to the York community for its support if its fund raising projects. Everyone is welcome.
The Fastnacht Day tradition was started by our Pennsylvania German ancestors on Shrove Tuesday. All fat had to be removed from the house before Lent, and Fastnachts were a product of this custom. This time was called Faching or Carnival, and Fastnachts were a treat.
Sounds pretty good to me!
Here's a look at Almena Motaka holding a collection of icing-layered fastnachts in 2005 at the Eureka Fire Hall in Stewartstown (photo by Bil Bowden).
There are a bunch of places making and selling fastnachts, including the local grocery stores... is there anywhere in particular you get your fastnachts? Which flavors do you like?
I have a zillion cousins in Juniata Co. On father's side those cousins get together every Fastnacht Day and make many dozens of many kinds of doughnuts to give away. They've been doing this for as long as I can remember--many years--so people expect it and know to stop by Nancy's to pick up some. I've been joing them the past few years since returning to PA, but might not make it this year. A meeting originally scheduled late January has been rescheduled for that night. Bummer.
Fastnachts are great! The word Fastnacht is German and means the evening before the fast (Lent). The origins are very old and are from pagan rituals of self cleansing. The Fasching (Carnival) starts Nov. 11 and runs through Fastnacht (Shrove Tuesday)ending in what most people think of as Mardi Gras. Here in Austria we have something similar to the Fastnacht, it is called Fasching Krapfen - it is like a jelly doughnut, cooked in fat and filled with jam (usually Marillen (Apricot)) and sprinkled with powdered sugar. Krapfen can be had year-round but during Fasching they are cooked a little differently. So there you have it, from across the big pond, more insight to our heritage.
Bis später,
von Österreich,
Mark
Check it out, I loved the movie, super pictures from the fastnacht in Lucerne.
This is the movie info:
Carnival of Lucerne - international appeal
This documentary will be produced in English
With great detail to the history of this awesome event, impressive scenes about this carnival and background information - enough to make you want to join this carnival next season. This years Lucerne Carnival commences beginning of February 2010.
Production will start Feb. 2010 in HD and SD 16x9
Facebook Webrelease Version - Carnival Lucerne 2009
Thursday, 19th of February 2009:
http://www.jeridooproductions.com/carnival-of-lucerne.html
Tschuessli
Monika