In Germany, as in many countries, there is Father's Day ( Vatertag ), which is established in the country as an official holiday in 1936. His celebration coincides with the church feast of the Ascension of the Lord, which is celebrated on the fortieth day after Easter.
It is believed that the day of honoring the fathers has been leading its history since the 18th century, when various processions and ritual actions were held in honor of the Ascension of the Lord in the country, including dedication of young men to men and honoring « the best » men. So, the following custom was common: men were put in wooden carts and taken to the main village square, where the head of the city or village head rewarded his father, who had the most children ( was usually awarded something from the ) food as a prize.
Today, such processions have lost their symbolism, and the holiday itself has become a Men's holiday in the broad sense of the word. In some lands it is even called the Day of Men ( Maennertag or Herrentag ).
Father's day in Germany usually goes quite noisy. Men gather in a company and travel without wives to the countryside, taking with them special trolleys ( Bollerwagen ), which contain alcohol and a hearty snack. Hiking and cycling ( excursions ) are also popular, or you can sit in the open air bar for a beer.
However, in a number of families this holiday — is another reason to get out into the countryside with the whole family and have a good rest.
Recall that International Father's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June, and on the first Saturday of November — World Men's Day.