Did you ever struggle with word in a foreign language, finally get around to looking it up, and realize that the English equivalent leaves you equally baffled? It’s been like that for me with the German words Bärlauch (bear’s garlic?) Sanddorn (sea-buckthorn?), the Russian brusnik (lingonberry?), kvas (bread drink?), and a host of others.

This was for me the case with the German word Pfingst, which, in 2008, falls on May 12. A peek in the dictionary informed me that the day is Pentecost, or Whit Monday. Pentecost, for anyone else not familiar with this term, commemorates the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon a gathering of the apostles, Jesus’ family and followers that enabled them to speak different languages and spread the word of Jesus’ works. The event is considered the beginning of the Christian church, and apparently has been a big date on the German calendar for some time — a New York times article dated June 14, 1859, gives a description of how the Germans in the New World marked the day — and it sounds not unlike what’s survived down to present times. Pentecost comes 50 days after Easter.

It wouldn’t do to forget the other important date of Sunday, May 11, which is Mothers Day. Both Germany and the United States will be marking the day. While we don’t get the long weekend our German colleagues will enjoy, there’s plenty being laid on all around us that could make for fun times – with or without Mom -- this weekend.

This would be a great weekend to head to Rothenburg ob der Tauber, where you can see the “Master Draught” (note you’ll need tickets). Throughout the town, the locals will be dressed up in traditional garb, military formations will march, and craftsmen will be displaying their talents. On Sunday, May 11, the traditional Shepherd’s Dance will be performed.

The town of Schwäbisch Hall hosts its "Kuchen und Brunnenfest" through May 12. The event translates to “Historical Celebration of the Salt-simmerers” and features medieval traditions and music, along with amusement park-style rides.

Oberwesel, along the Middle Rhine, hosts a “Mittelalterlichen Spectaculum” or festival of the Middle Ages, May 10-12.

A very special day for Frankfurt is Wäldchestag, the Tuesday following Whit Monday. The Frankfurt Stadtwald is the setting for this traditional carnival which runs from May 10–13.

If you head to Düsseldorf this weekend, you will find a Jazz Rally featuring over 70 concerts and 400 musicians. It’s billed as Germany’s largest jazz related event.

In Bavaria, a number of towns are holding traditional Pfingst festivals: Erlangen, Bad Königshofen, Tauberbischofsheim, Königsberg, Ingolstadt and Bad Kötzting. Bayreuth is having a Volksfest, which runs through May 19.

You can go to a Pfingst-Open-Air concert in Passau and see the likes of Asian Dub Foundation, Madsen, Moneybrother and Agnostic Front.

The Carnival of Cultures is taking place this weekend in Berlin.

Is a wine fest calling your name? Pfingst weekend sees them happening in Franken’s Sommerach; The Hessische Bergstrasse’s Zwingenberg; and Mosel region towns of Senheim, Trittenheim, Kinhem-Kinden, Enkirch, Zeltingen, and Klüsserath. The Pfalz’s Deidesheim puts on a Pfingstmarkt all weekend, and on Tuesday, you could witness a historic Geißbockversteigerung, whatever that may be...