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Category: commemoration
Riding Stick Horses
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I recently learned that there is a tradition of children riding stick horses in Osnabrück on October 25th, as though they were spreading news of the peace. This has the wonderful German name of Steckenpferdreiten. The “Peace Rider” (Friedensreiter) is indeed a figure from the Peace of Westphalia, and the inspiration for the post horn that …
Happy Peace of Westphalia Day!
Today is the 371st anniversary of the signing. I celebrate every year with a Mazarin cake. I have no evidence that the Cardinal is associated with the cake, but it seems likely; and, besides, I can’t think of a more appropriate dessert to make. (Traditional Wespthalia foods like pumpernickel, ham, and blood sausage are not …