Martinsumzug Oestrich

St. Martin in Oestrich — Tradition from Westphalia

On Saturday, November 7, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the traditional St. Martin's Day procession will take place in the Oestrich district of Iserlohn (Letmathe). The organizers are the Heimatverein Ortsring Oestrich e.V. and the Bartholomäus primary school — both deeply rooted in the village community. The meeting point and starting location is the Bartholomäus school, Unterfeldstraße 12, from where the procession will lead through the village streets to Herbert-Nolte-Platz.

St. Martin on Horseback

A highlight of the procession is St. Martin on horseback — a rider in a St. Martin costume with a red cloak leads the lantern procession. The legend of St. Martin, who shared his cloak with a freezing beggar, is thus vividly portrayed for the children. Sometimes the scene is reenacted at the final destination — a beggar in rags, the St. Martin rider with the divided cloak, a moving moment for the youngest viewers.

Lanterns and Songs

The schoolchildren of Bartholomäus primary school will bring their handmade lanterns — in the week prior, lanterns are crafted in the classrooms, which are now carried during the procession. During the procession, the classic St. Martin's songs will be sung: “Ich gehe mit meiner Laterne” (I walk with my lantern), “Sankt Martin reitet durch Schnee und Wind” (St. Martin rides through snow and wind), “Laterne, Laterne” (Lantern, lantern). Parents sing along, and the heritage association sometimes distributes song sheets.

Stutenkerle, Sausages, Drinks

At the final destination on Herbert-Nolte-Platz, families can expect:

• Stutenkerle — traditional yeast dough figures shaped like men with a clay pipe, a Westphalian baked good specifically for St. Martin's Day
• Sausages — grilled bratwurst, the hearty counterpart to the sweet Stutenkerl
• Hot drinks — mulled wine for adults, punch and hot chocolate for children

The heritage association provides refreshments free of charge or for a small contribution — donations for the association's work are welcome.

Oestrich — the green district of Letmathe

Oestrich is a smaller district of Letmathe, which is itself a district of Iserlohn in the Märkischer Kreis. Its location in the Lenne valley, with a village character and a strong network of local associations, makes the St. Martin's Day procession a true village experience — not a large urban event. Here, people know each other, greet each other, and celebrate together.

Why this tradition endures

In large cities, St. Martin's Day processions are increasingly losing importance — not so in Westphalian villages like Oestrich. The heritage association and the school, together with the parents, keep the tradition alive every year. The combination of preserving tradition, a school event, and a family festival makes this date one of the most beautiful Advent kick-offs of the year in the region. Those who attend once come back every year.