Nanzdietschweiler
Encyclopedia
Nanzdietschweiler is a municipality in the district of Kusel
, in Rhineland-Palatinate
, western Germany
.
Customs and Traditions
The culture in Nanzdietschweiler is rich and diverse, and offers a rare glimpse into German traditions. Every third year in January, rats are collected and thrown into the local river, the Glan. This tradition can trace its roots back to the story of the Pied Piper, who led all the rats in a village down to the river, where they drowned. Today, this tradition continues and offers families a fun day to relax and enjoy an age old tradition. In 2009, this tradition was threatened by PETA. On January 24, 2009, three men, claiming to be from PETA, released the rats destined for the river. These rats infested the town, and in the chaos, the three men fell into the Glan. This event failed to end the tradition that had endured for so long.
Kusel (district)
Kusel is a district in the south of Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. Neighboring districts are Birkenfeld, Bad Kreuznach, Donnersbergkreis, Kaiserslautern, Saarpfalz and Sankt Wendel .-History:The district of Kusel was created at the beginning of the 19th century...
, in Rhineland-Palatinate
Rhineland-Palatinate
Rhineland-Palatinate is one of the 16 states of the Federal Republic of Germany. It has an area of and about four million inhabitants. The capital is Mainz. English speakers also commonly refer to the state by its German name, Rheinland-Pfalz ....
, western Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
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Customs and Traditions
The culture in Nanzdietschweiler is rich and diverse, and offers a rare glimpse into German traditions. Every third year in January, rats are collected and thrown into the local river, the Glan. This tradition can trace its roots back to the story of the Pied Piper, who led all the rats in a village down to the river, where they drowned. Today, this tradition continues and offers families a fun day to relax and enjoy an age old tradition. In 2009, this tradition was threatened by PETA. On January 24, 2009, three men, claiming to be from PETA, released the rats destined for the river. These rats infested the town, and in the chaos, the three men fell into the Glan. This event failed to end the tradition that had endured for so long.