The time between Christmas and Epiphany on January 6 has many names - it is often referred to as the "Rauhnächte" or the time "between the years", in English-speaking countries it is known as the "twelve nights". Hard to understand with a modern calendar that ends on December 31 and opens a new chapter on January 1.
The Rauhnächte not only offer an opportunity to celebrate and get together with family and friends, but also space for reflection and organization. The two weeks of cozy idleness can be spent within your own four walls - but there are also numerous events for every taste outside. This includes concerts and cultural events as well as the end of the Christmas markets and, of course, roaring New Year's Eve celebrations.
Picture: When you no longer know what day it is - then the Rauhnächte are here.
Everything in order
Ambitious minds use the former rough nights for a bit of self-organization - which also goes hand in hand with the end of the year in other cultures. Where once the paperwork of the old year was sorted and filed away, today it is enough to tidy up your email inbox and perhaps update your own backup copies.
Picture: Ever since Marie Condo, we like mucking out a little bit more.
Make plans
The end of the year is also a time to look back - what made the old year special, which goals were achieved and which were not? What has improved? What should be on the agenda for the new year? Plans that build on the results of the year now coming to an end are better than New Year's resolutions - they also have a better chance of being successfully implemented. In short, the Rauhnächte can easily be summed up in a nutshell: After the show is before the show!
