Biike burning in Friedrichstadt

Crackling fires, hot punch and hearty kale: in the depths of winter, the traditional Biike burning takes place along the North Frisian coast. The ritual is considered to be the oldest North Frisian custom and was originally a pagan cult intended to drive away the evil spirits of winter and ensure fertility during sowing. In 2014, the traditional festival was added to the German UNESCO Commission's national list of intangible cultural assets.