Customs: Bet for kale – Is the Weser frozen over? | EUROtoday

It’s an uncommon wager: an actor dressed as a tailor makes use of a scorching iron to examine whether or not the Weser in Bremen is frozen over. “It hasn’t been there since 1947 and will probably never be again,” admit the organizers. Although it will not be significantly thrilling, a whole bunch of onlookers are anticipated to attend the normal spectacle.

Bizarre Bremen custom

The Presidium of the Eiswette, the novices and the Three Wise Men await the tailor at Osterdeich at 12 p.m. sharp. Most of the time he arrives late and is then weighed in entrance of everybody. If the tailor weighs 99 kilos – not even 45 kilos – he’s the correct man.

According to the statutes, the tailor should cross the Weser with dry ft and with a scorching iron in his hand. If he can do it on his personal, the wager could be gained. For a long time he has needed to enlist the assistance of sea rescuers and cross the river in a ship. This is the consequence: “De Werser is fine!” – and the wager is misplaced.

Bet to eat kale

The custom goes again to 1829. At that point, 18 folks from Bremen made a wager: Will the Weser freeze over at first of January or not? The stake was a shared meal of cabbage. Since then, the wager has been celebrated yearly, with a couple of exceptions.

The wager is historically eaten on the third Saturday in January. Around 800 company are invited to the ice cream competitors with Kohl and Pee within the Congress Center. Donations are collected for the ocean rescuers.

© dpa-infocom, dpa:260106-930-502846/1