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GPS Coordinates

1 -- Sylt, Germany
Decimal Lat: 54.912343 / Lon: 8.342056
Degree

 

Tradition & Culture on Sylt, Germany

Tradition & Culture

Living tradition

Tradition is considered important on Sylt and still plays a part in the life of the islanders today. One of the most beautiful customs upheld by local groups is the performance of old dances in traditional costume, an event that never fails to draw an audience. What may seem somewhat exotic in our modern times used to be as ordinary as jeans and a T-shirt. The traditional costumes had their heyday in the 18th century, when the general wealth brought in by seafaring was also mirrored by people’s dress: men were clad in silk and velvet, and women wore gowns with gold coins sewn onto them for their weddings. The past comes to life everywhere in the east of the island. For example in museums at Keitum which document the life of the inhabitants of Sylt in previous ages. Or in the two churches of Keitum and Morsum, built 800 years ago. Or at Tinnumburg, a pre- Christian rampart, and the megalithic tombs dating back several thousand years. Tradition lives on: In the museum weaving mill and in the local costumes at dances, or in the riding course and the Frisian theatre.

Friesland and tea – a connection with tradition.

Tea is something of a notional drink on Sylt, especially in the cool months of autumn and winter. Well prepared and served in the finest tea service, it can be enjoyed in both the morning or evening, the local tea shops spoiling their customers for choice with more than 300 varieties. While tea is believed to have been known in China as early as the third millennium before Christ, it only became widespread in Europe in the 17th century. The inhabitants of Sylt were introduced to tea in a most unusual way: It is recorded that ships ran aground on the island in 1735 and that numerous chests and barrels of the ship's cargo were carried overboard in the process. When the locals rummaged through the flotsam and jetsam, they discovered several chests containing tea leaves originating from China and Japan. The ransackers mistakenly thought these were their local curly kale and attempted to make a tasty meal of the leaves. This attempt was doomed to failure and left a bitter after-taste in the mouth. It was not until later that returning seafarers initiated their compatriots into the art of how to make tea correctly.

If you visit the tea seminar in the Sylt tea factory in Westerland or the Sylt tea office in Keitum, you will learn everything you need to know about the humble drink of tea. It is certainly not a “dry” subject – especially as those attending get to drink copious amounts of the subject matter.

'Must-see' attractions, Sights of Sylt