Figure 1.--This is the Biberacher Schuetzenfest held annually in Biberach. The Kleinen Schuetzentrommler are one of the oldest groups of the festival, they were mentioned the first time in 1816. In the mid of the 20th century the boys got their first costumes. Here is the costume the boys wore in 2005.

One interesting topic associated with holidays are festivals. In addition to nationally celebrted holidays, cities and towns throughout Germany have their own local celebrations. these are all quite varied reflecting their local origins. Many occur during the Summer or Fall. Some of these celebrations date back to the medieval era. These are often costumed events. Others are of more recent origins. Most are not very well known, especially outside Germany. Hopefully our German readers will tell us about their local festivals.

Biberacher Schuetzenfest

A German reader tells us, "I was on holiday for a week in the southwest of Germany. At this time a great traditional festival was held in in a city called Biberach. This festival is called "Biberacher Schuetzenfest". It`s a very old and famous folkloristic festival. It has been held every year in July, since the late 17th century. It was mentioned first time in 1668 as a festival for pupils and students. Over the centuries the festival changed and developed to a traditional folkloristic festival, but one thing never changed. It was always a festival primarily for the children. The children are the focus of the festival and thousands of kids take part in the festival. In modern times the Biberacher Schützenfest is primarily a public festival with many folkloristic elements. They are many folkloristic groups, folkloristic bands and also some shooting clubs. Most of them have some old and traditional costumes. One of these groups in traditional costumes is called "Kleine Schuetzentrommler". It`s a music band in traditional costumes, the members are boys between 6 and 15 years. The Kleinen Schuetzentrommler are one of the oldest groups of the festival, they were mentioned the first time in 1816. In the mid of the 20th century the boys got their first costumes. These costumes were similar to other traditional student costumes and because of that the Kleine Schuetzentrommler adopted their own costumes. Since 1959 their costumes changed only in few points. Today the only part of the uniform, which remind to the old student like uniform is the cap. These caps are still part of German students fraternity. The costumes of the Kleine Schuetzentrommler is a traditional costumes with many old elements. It consists of a white longsleeved shirt, a blue vest with the coat of arms of Biberach at the chest, beige short pants, white kneesocks, sandals, and a blue cap."

Oberammergau Passionsspledarsteller

Oberammergau is a Bavarian village notable for woodcarving. It is often world famous for the traditional Passion Play. Medieval passion plays depicting the life and death of Jesus were a form of both popular religion and theatrical entertainment. The Oberammergau Passion Play is the most well-know surviving passion play and dates to the 17th century. At that time the villagers who were terrified of an outbreak of bubonic and pledged that they would organize a production of a passion play every 10 years. After the plague seems to have subsided in 1633, the village held their first production of the Passion Play in 1634. The village now produces it Passion Play during the first year of each decade and more than 2,000 village residents participate. The Oberammergau Passion Play now includes spoken drama, musical and choral accompaniment, as well as a Biblical tableaux vivants, including Old Testament scenes presented as background for the appearance of Christianity. Passion plays commonly included strong nti-Semeti elements. Commonly Judas betraying Chris was an important scenes. Since World War II and the NAZI Holocaust the villagers have attempted to downplay the anti-Semetic elements.

Created: 8:11 PM 7/26/2005
Last updated: 8:02 AM 6/18/2006