What country celebrates chimney sweeps?

Each September, a small village in the Italian Alps hosts what might just be the world’s biggest party for chimney sweeps. But why? The annual celebration in Santa Maria Maggiore, near the Swiss border in northern Piedmont, goes back nearly 40 years.

Is it illegal to deny a chimney sweep in Germany?

They say that was the point of Hitler era laws that required sweeps be German and lead an exemplary life. Those rules were chucked in a 1969 revision, and now sweeps are generally forbidden from sharing personal information about customers.

What does the chimney sweep mean in Germany?

good luck
But did you know that chimney sweeps in Germany are also a sign of good luck and are often invited to weddings to get the nuptials started on the right side of the coin? The origination of why a chimney sweep is good luck is not due to some exotic tale of adventure and magic.

Why were chimney sweeps a thing?

Chimney sweeps began to be associated with restoring fresh air in homes and the sweeps themselves became a symbol of good hearth and good health. Ironically, the health of those most responsible for clean chimneys was sacrificed to the task.

Is it illegal to mow your lawn on a Sunday in Germany?

Mowing the Lawn and Gardening You aren’t allowed to mow the lawn on Sundays or public holidays. This also applies to using a strimmer or other noisy electronic gardening tools.

Is it illegal to recycle on a Sunday in Germany?

No drilling on Sundays While it is not exactly against German law, it is against most Hausordnungen (rules of the house) to do so. Many Hausordnungen also forbid you from throwing glass bottles into the recycling bin at certain hours.

Why are sweeps lucky?

According to legend, in 1066 a chimney sweep saved the life of King William of Britain. To this day, it’s considered good luck to invite a sweep to your wedding or other special occasion. Even just seeing a sweep on your wedding day is lucky – especially if he shakes your hand or kisses you!

Is it lucky to see a chimney sweep?

The Lucky Chimney Sweep Tradition Chimney sweeps are still considered lucky to this day, especially at weddings, where it is said that both bride and groom will benefit from a great future if wished luck on their special day by a chimney sweep.

What happened to sweeps who grew too large?

Children who worked as chimney sweeps generally ranged from as young as 4 to about 10 years old, when they grew too big to fit down the tiny chimneys anymore. Two of the biggest fears of a chimney sweep were falling and getting stuck in the chimney – both often led to death.

Can you sleep in your car in Germany?

Since it is legal in Germany to sleep in your car / van, you can sleep anywhere you want. If you do not mind the noise, you can just use a “Parkplatz” (parking area) right next to the Autobahn. A lot of them are equipped with toilets.

Is it illegal to wash your own car in Germany?

Since car washing at home is banned in most parts of Germany, these self-service stations are suitable for people who like to do the car washing themselves. The water used does not get into the groundwater or simply seep into the ground, but is collected, filtered and often reconditioned.

What are quiet hours in Germany?

During the week and on Saturdays, the quiet hours in Germany are usually between 10 pm and 6 am. Yep, it seems that in Germany just about everything is laid down in law – and with a bit of bad luck, you’ll have a hobby policeman as a neighbour who closely monitors people’s behaviour during quiet hours in Germany.