For many children, the new school year has just begun or will begin in the coming days! It is therefore a very topical subject, and a charming collecting theme for postcard collectors!
The start of the school year, as we know it today, is the result of a long historical evolution linked to the development of education systems in Europe. In the Middle Ages, there was no uniform school calendar: lessons depended on teachers and local constraints, particularly agricultural ones. Children often helped with work in the fields, which made schooling irregular.
It was in the 19th century that the start of the school year began to become more structured. With school laws, such as those introduced by Jules Ferry in France in the 1880s, school became compulsory, free and secular. A fixed calendar was then put in place, adapted to the rhythm of the seasons and the needs of rural families. The start of the school year was generally set in autumn, after the main harvests, allowing children to help their parents during the summer.
Over time, the start of the school year became an important symbolic moment, marking both the end of the holidays and the beginning of a new year of learning.
The Schultüte tradition
While searching for postcards on Delcampe, a large cone caught my attention on German postcards.
It is the “Schultüte” (or Zuckertüte, literally “sugar cone”). This tradition dates back to the beginning of the 19th century, mainly in Saxony and Thuringia.
Originally, this custom aimed to make starting school sweeter and more festive, as it could be an impressive experience for young children. A popular belief even claimed that, in some towns such as Jena, there was a “ cone tree” (Zuckertütenbaum) at school: when the cones were “ripe”, it meant that the children were ready for their first day of class!
Parents would therefore give these large cones, decorated in bright colours and filled with sweets, small toys and school supplies. The idea was to turn this important step into a joyful and motivating moment, while rewarding the child for the beginning of their school life.
Over time, the Schultüte became a national tradition in Germany, one that is still very much alive today. Although the contents have evolved (fewer sweets, more useful items), the symbol remains the same: to ease the transition between early childhood and the world of school, making the start of the school year a happy and memorable experience.
I really like this idea and have just given a Schultüte to my own children! I hope your children’s start of the school year goes well!
Discover the back-to-school postcards for sale on Delcampe!
