History

The Magical Lantern Walk is inspired by Martinmas celebrations that happen today across Europe and in small gatherings around other countries worldwide.

Martinmas is the celebration of Saint Martins Day on November 11th. This tradition has been happening for centuries, where children carry lanterns they have made and sing "Martin songs", processing through the town. The walk begins at the town church and finishes at the town centre.

This time of year is when we mark the drawing in of the nights and the beginning of the cold months. There are other cultural and historic celebrations around this time, such as Diwali, the 'festival of light' and the end of the old agricultural calendar.

Here in Rutland we have a rich agricultural history, with the Rutland Agricultural Society dating back to 1788!  The Magical Lantern Walk brings together children, families and the community to walk together through our beautiful town centre.  We are celebrating history, tradition, seasonal changes and our brilliant community.

Who is Saint Martin?
Martin le Misércordieux, born in AD 316
Legend has it that when Martin was a soldier, he gave a beggar half of his soldier's coat to protect the man from freezing to death. Later Martin became a bishop in order to help poor people.

On St. Martin's Day, children in France, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria and the USA participate in paper lantern processions. Often, a man dressed as St. Martin rides on a horse in front of the procession. The children sing songs about St. Martin and their lanterns.

Image: St. Martin and the Beggar, 1836 (oil on canvas) by Alfred Sethel

What is Diwali?
Diwali, the festival of LIGHT
All over the world, we find people celebrating LIGHT as the nights draw in and the end of the harvest season.

Diwali is celebrated by over a billion people every year! Each year the dates are different. The festival lasts for five days, starting on the new moon in the 8th month of the Indian calendar.
Diwali is a festival that brings happiness, prosperity and joy to you and all your family.

What is the old Agricultural Calendar?
Agriculture today is vastly different than it was in the old days, before machinery and supermarkets!  People lived close to the land and worked with the seasons. In the Northern hemisphere, November is the end of harvest time, a time when everything slows down for the cold and dark months ahead.  Apparently it is St Martins Day that marks the end of the Agricultural year.

Image: 'Monthly Calendar of Tasks' by Master of the Geneva Boccaccio, circa 1470

Beginning of Rutland's Magical Lanten Walk
The first Magical Lantern Walk took place in 2018, a great success with over 200 people in attendance. The following year was the start of the tradition, though in 2020, no walk took place due to the Coronavirus pandemic. 

In 2022 the event outgrew the work of one person putting it together and moved under the organisational umbrella of local Community Interest Company, Root-and-Branch Out.