Though Thanksgiving is an American holiday every culture has harvest festivals. In Slovenia it is St. Martin’s day on November 11th (Also called Martinmas). [Picture
[Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons]
St. Martin is an early saint (about 316 to 397) best known for cutting his cloak in two to share with a beggar. He was a conscientious objector in the Roman Army known for peace, but also for harvest celebrations on his day. For more info check out http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09732b.htm
In Slovenian St. Martin’s day is the day that the new wine is tasted. In some accounts St. Martin could turn water into wine. I think I like this saint. His story also includes geese, so in Slovenia they eat goose and drink wine. It isn’t turkey, but it sounds good to me. Anyway, one of the places in Slovenia top celebrate St. Martin’s is Goriska Brda,
By Sl-Ziga (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Check out other places to sample new wine and celebrate the harvest in Slovenia at http://www.slovenia.info/en/The-Feasts-of-St-Martin.htm?martinovanja=0&lng=2
One last thing- St. Martin’s day predicts the weather “If a Martinmas goose slithers on ice, at Christmas it usually squelches in mud.”
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