Sister Maria Hummel Day
May 21, Wednesday
Who was Sister Maria Hummel?
Sister Maria Hummel (Maria Innocentia Hummel, 1909–1946) was a Franciscan nun and artist from Bavaria. Her watercolor paintings depicted children in touching and kind scenes of everyday life. After her works were noticed by the porcelain factory W. Goebel, they became the foundation for the creation of ceramic figurines that gained immense popularity worldwide.
Where is Sister Maria Hummel Day celebrated?
The holiday is celebrated in countries that value the artistic and cultural heritage of Sister Maria Hummel:
* Germany — her homeland and place of work
* USA — the country with the largest community of Hummel collectors
* Canada — also an active collector community
* Other countries in Europe and the world where clubs and exhibitions dedicated to Hummel figurines exist
How is this day celebrated?
The celebration takes place among religious and cultural organizations, as well as among collectors and museums:
* Visiting exhibitions and museums, such as the Berta Hummel Museum in Massbach (Germany)
* Holding lectures and educational events about the life and work of Sister Maria
* Exchanging figurines and collector meetings
* Organizing themed events in schools, parishes, and cultural centers
Why May 21?
The date May 21 was chosen in memory of Sister Maria Hummel's contribution to art and spirituality, and also because this day is associated with spring, childhood, and light — images often found in her works.