Figure 1.--This is the Biberacher Schützenfest held annually in Biberach. The Kleinen Schüetzentrommler 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 uniforms. It has chnged little since that time. Here is the uniform the boys wore in 2005.

A great traditional festival is held in Biberach. This festival is called "Biberacher Schüetzenfest". Biberach was in the Middle Ages a „Freie Reichstadt“ (imperial town). So the Kleine Schüetzentrommler boys have the shield with the old imperial German eagle with two heads on their vests. The colors of the uniform have the colours of the town. 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. The Festival 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.

Biberach

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"." Another German reader tells us, "My grandfather was born and grew up in Biberach. Biberach was in the Middle Ages a „Freie Reichstadt“ (imperial town). So the Kleine Schuetzentrommler boys have the shield with the old imperial German eagle with two heads on their vests. The colors of the uniform have the colours of the town in 1542. Some of the events take place in the town center. The lovely old buildings provide a wonderful background for the festival.

Chronology

Our reader tells us, "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." A festival with such a long history is fascinating. Unfortunately we do not have information about the festival in the early years. The Festival continues to be held today and our German readers have sent us some interesting images of the festival events.

The Festival

We do not know much about the festival. Schützenfest means something along the lines of Shooting Festival. So we are guessing it began as a kind of markmanship competition. Perhaps our Germn readers will know more. Our reader explains, "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."

Costumes

Our reader reports, "Most of them have some old and traditional costumes. One of these groups with uniforms is called "Kleine Schützentrommler " -- meaning something like Little Shooter/Protector Drummers. It`s a uniformed drum and piper band. The members are boys between 6 and 15 years. They are thinking about acceoting girls, but they are still all boys. The Kleinen Schuetzentrommler are one of the oldest groups of the festival, they were mentioned the first time in 1816. That of course is right after the Napoleonic War. 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 Schützentrommler 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 uniforms Kleine Schützentrommler consists of a a traditional German school cap, white longsleeved shirt, a blue vest with the coat of arms of Biberach at the chest, yellowish short pants, white knee socks, and sandals. The colors of the uniform have the colours of the town. The uniform has changed very little since adopted in the 1950s. At first the boys had navy blue jackets or sweaters. At first the boys brought their own sandals. Now to standadize them the group furnishes the sandals.

Created: 9:46 PM 7/26/2005
Last updated: 8:50 PM 7/3/2016