Kermesse (festival)

The fair and the parish fair in Austria Kirtag, Swiss High German funfair or funfair, banatschwäbisch Kerweih is celebrated as a religious festival on the occasion of the consecration of a Christian church building since the Middle Ages. She has the rank of a high festival. Today, the religious context usually plays a minor role.

Designation

Owing to the prevalence of parish fairs and their respective local features different names for the fair have ( partly on the basis of measurement and Parish Church ) naturalized in the regional dialects:

Germany

• Kirmesse in the southwestern part of Baden
• Kärwa, Kerwa or Kirwa in Franconia
• Kirb or notch in the Saarland, on the lower Nahe, in the western and northern Palatinate, in parts of southern Hesse or Rheinhessen and in Lower Franconia (especially in the Bavarian Lower Main region ), in many parts of the Odenwald
• Kerm in Lower Franconia
• Kerwe in the eastern Palatinate, in the south of Hesse and North Baden, in the central Württemberg, Alsace and parts of Middle Franconia
• Kerweih with the Swabians in the Romanian Banat
• Kier in Jossgrund and Marjoß in the Spessart
• Kilb sporadically in southern Hesse
• Kilbe, Kilbi in parts of Württemberg, Baden and Vorarlberg
• Kilwi in South Baden
• Kirb west of the Nahe and Alsace, in parts of southern Hesse and Hesse-Cassel, and in the northern Saarland ( Tholey )
• Kirbe in the Rems valley and surrounding area, the Upper Neckar region, in the Hunsrück, in Rheinhessen and in parts of Vorarlberg
• Kirwa in the western, central and northern Upper Palatinate and in the eastern part of Franconia
• Kirwe in Vogtland, in parts of Baden, in the western and northern Württemberg, Rhineland -Palatinate and in Alsace
• Kir ( e) further in parts of Württemberg
• Kirwi in the middle of Baden

• Karkmess in the northern Low German language area
• Kemmes partly in the Nassau region
• Kermes in the lower Mosel Valley, winner of the country, and lower Westerwald Rhineland
• Kermese in mountain
• Kermis in the Netherlands
• Kerms, Kermst or Kirmse in Saxony and Thuringia in parts
• Kermse in Western Lower Saxony and Thuringia
• Fair in the upper Moselle valley, in the Eifel, Westerwald, in Central, North and East Hesse, as well as in parts of the Saarland, Lower Franconia, Thuringia and Saxony and in large parts of North Rhine -Westphalia and Lower Saxony.

• Käada and Kiada in the southern Upper Palatinate
• Kirda, Kirta, Kirog in Old Bavaria

Austria

• Kirtag, Kirda, Kirtag or Kiritåg or Parish
• Prangtag, used in the state of Salzburg ( to the festive Prangstangen )
• Kilbi in Vorarlberg

Romania

• Kerweih in all places with German population in the Banat

Switzerland

• Swiss High German Kilbi
• Al. Kirmesse in many parts of German Switzerland
• Al. Chilwi in Central Switzerland
• Al. Chiubi in the canton of Bern

Croatia

• Kirvaj in some regions of Croatia

Luxembourg

• Kiermes in the north, south and west of Luxembourg as well as the area around the city of Luxembourg
• Kärmes or Käermes along the Luxembourg Moselle

Date

Often the celebration of the anniversary is placed on the feast day of the patron saint of the church elected. But there are also Kirch days on the day of the consecration of the respective church or at the general ( Bavarian ) Parish, this is the third Sunday in October.

In Bavaria, the fair was celebrated on the Sunday before or after the feast day of their patron saint of the church until 1866 in the cities and villages. As the population gladly participated in the celebrations of the respective neighboring communities, took ( in the eyes of the authorities ) the number of entertainment events and alcohol consumption associated upper hand. Therefore, the traditional " village fair " by a central event for all churches in the autumn - the third Sunday in October - replaced. However, this date has not prevailed in the whole of Bavaria. For the Bishopric of Würzburg, for example, applies the second Sunday in November as Kirchweihtag. The vernacular was the name of this feast day Allerweltskita to make it clear that this holiday applies to "all the world " and not just the individual church.

In Saarland, the notch or Kirb, or fair in Catholic communities is celebrated on the day of the consecration of the church concerned. Since this day is not known to many old churches, is celebrated in many places, the so-called Martini fair on the first or second weekend in November. The " church fete Sunday " is Sunday, which is closer to November 10 each. Since it can be very cold in November, in recent decades, some municipalities have their preferred notch on weekends in the summer to celebrate proper " street fair " can.

In Switzerland, the term Kirmesse has often completely detached from the church given fair and spread the ordinary word for " fair " modern " fair " at all.

Hard course

In rural areas, the fair is an important village institution, with the - mostly unmarried - Fairground lads ( in CHF also " local lads " or " Kärwaboum ", in Hesse " Kerwe Borsche ", " notch Borsch ", " Kermesborsche ", " Plobursche " or " notch Borsch "; Banat " " called, in the Saarland and Rhineland -Palatinate also " Kerweihbuwe Straußbuwe called " because of the often ornate carnival tree, in the Eifel " fair committee " ) which carry the annual festival organization. In the meantime, take it in many villages and girls and young women in part ( " Kärwamadla / Madli " ) in Saarland " Straußmäde " ( Strauss girls).

In the Hessian Odenwald, the " Kerwe " traditional " unearthed " that is opened. The villagers draw mostly on Fridays or Saturdays through the local streets to the house of " Kerweparrers " ( Kerwe pastor ), pick up and go in together to a point where a bottle or something similar is dug out of the ground. With this ritual the church fete is open and will continue until again by digging a new bottle for the next year. On Sundays in many villages instead of a church fete procession, pulling at the groups, clubs and individuals from the region and the region with creative ideas and designed cars / tractors through the streets.

In the original Frankish " Kerwa " or Upper Palatinate " Kirwa " that are found in many localities in the months of April to October, the event usually lasts from Friday to Monday. On Friday mostly music events for the youth instead.

On Saturday, erected by the local lads of " fair tree". On Saturday morning they go on tractors and trailers in the woods (usually a spruce) to precipitate the previously chosen tree and bring to the village. The tree must not break through the cases, especially the sensitive tip will be given special attention. In some villages, the tree will be " caught up " on Friday and will be guarded overnight by the Kärwaboum so that it will not be stolen or damaged by rival Kärwaboum from neighboring villages. The tree is decorated with wreaths, ribbons and carved into the bark. Accompanied by the music band, the tree is then driven in the afternoon in the village and re-erected in front of the economy in which pervert the boys, or in the village square, using different length, connected at one end rods ( swallows or spreading). This process usually takes place over several hours and is very stressful, because the tree can be over 30 meters high. The Bavarian Forest is the " Kirtazamtrogn " takes place in the night from Saturday to Sunday in many villages instead. The boys pull a carriage through the village and take out the gardens and farmyards garden furniture, tools that were not cleaned up, etc. with. This booty is set up under the fair tree and must be picked up by the owners again.

On Sunday you meet occasionally still " dig Fässla " at this. Here, a beer keg, when there are two " rival " groups of boys, hiding in the garden of the other group and then must be sought from the local lads. Not create it, it's a shame if the other fraternity digs up the keg again.

Other forms

Another form as rival Kerwe boys to finance their drinks is steal the notch Lies. The notch Lies, in some places also called Liesel notch, notch uncle, fair, Hannes, Schlackes or Lisbeth, is a device suspended from a tree notch straw doll. This monitored during the time of the notch. Mainly at night come Foreign notch guys to get the Lies of the tree and exchange after successful indeed the next day at Liquid. The felling of the tree is not welcome. If the Lies was stolen, the Kerwe guys are the next day usually exposed to the scorn and ridicule of the previous vintages, as this this disgrace supposedly " never happened " is.

On Monday, which is then " Betz punched " (some " punched fair tree " also ). Here, the boys looking on Monday morning from a girl and dance, usually even in typical local costumes. Here, a bouquet of pair is added to couple per round. On an alarm clock for a certain time is set, to which he will ring. Who has the bouquet at this time, is the " Masta " (Masters ) and has to pay for the whole evening to foot the bill for the boys. In addition, according to the fair all boys and their girls are invited him to booze and coffee drinking. Often falls on the Monday the handover of the fair at the fair lad of the next age group, where the audience is entertained by those to existing checks.

In some places, is part of the fair, a fair hearing, are evaluated in which events of the past year. At the end of the festival, the fair is fair then buried ( in the Palatinate " Kerweschlumbl " or " Kerwe Liesl ").

In addition to the "normal" notch, there are in many areas still further variants of this festival. Thus, the " asparagus notch " is celebrated in Buettelborn for example, where an Asparagus Queen will be crowned. In the 1950s, there was also the " potato notch " was held. In Trebur there is the " sugar notch ". In Biebesheim am Rhein, where the notch is celebrated four weeks after Easter, on Sunday Cantate, also called this " nettle notch " because the date is so early.

"A gscheida Kirta lasts until Irta (Tuesday) - and it kunnt se Schicka, a dirm times until Migga ( Wednesday). " ( Verse from the Old Bavarians )

Kirchweih songs

According to the different names for " fair " fair - songs are sung in the dialects. example:

• Dialogue between Kerwe Vadder and Kerwe Borsch in royal cities, Landkreis Groß -Gerau, the place with the oldest recorded notch Germany: " Kerwe Borsch, mer booze yet? - Still a lot worse! - A life without love - Is as Blutworscht without cracklings - Un Blutworscht without cracklings? - Is Bluns! - Who is the score? - Us! - ... " And other lines. Only at notch is then appended to the end: "High lewe love, high lewe the Woi, Kinsteerer notch should - Our soi! Soi, Äbbelwoi, alls enoi! "
• " Who is the score? - Us. - We 'll se ge - hall. And 'll se ver - Soffe. A - Suff, Suff - one, one - Suffa. - And if the stars fall from the sky? - The Erbacher notch is but gehalle. - Wos be me? - Lumbe. Wos raache me? - Stumbe. Wos it the Bloutworscht without Kriewe? - Bluns. Who is the score? - Us. Who? - Us. Who? -. U.S. " (Westerwald / Taunus)
• The notch march with the largest score in the district of Darmstadt- Dieburg ( The Zimmner notch iss do) followed by dialogue between notched and notched Vadder Borsch: " Who is the score? - Ours! From Nawwel to? - Brunser! Un ' the is ' too? - Our " ( Nauheim, Groß -Gerau & Gross-Zimmern, district Darmstadt- Dieburg )
• Also in the South Hessian greater community Buettelborn the notch traditionally begins with a dialogue between Kerwe Vadder and Kerwe Borsch: " Your Kerwe Borsch, who is the notch? - Ours! - Unn the music? - Aa! - Unn the Mädscher? - Even more! - High love, high wine, the Biddelberner cuts must - be our " ( Buettelborn )
• In Biebesheim am Rhein is the saying of Kerwe Meckes (he has the responsibility to create the right mood ): " Who is the notch - our - Un the Musigg - Ah - Un the Mädscher - Postal un even - The? ?? Biwwesemer notch, they live - high - you live - High - [ you live - High - All cables - Naus (an allusion to the southern neighboring town of Gernsheim, whose inhabitants are referred to as owls) Narhalla march - and goodbye ] ( the additional standing in [] is only since the founding of the church fete Borsch association used ) This is followed by the kerwe Sunday parade the words of Kerwe Vadders: " the Musigg speelt now bravely DROFF: De Kerwe march the Gass Enoff " What is the move to the sounds of the Kerwe march starts moving again.
• " Who iss the notch - Our" (West Palatinate, Lower Main )
• " Who ish the church fete? - Our " ( Palatinate )
• " Who is the church fete? - Our " ( Vorderpfalz )
• "Who houd Kirwa? - I hom Kirwa " (Oberpfalz )
• " Who geheerd the notch? - Ours! - Who swill de Woi? - Me! The (local name) notch, you live - high! - You live - high! - You live - high! Pri - Ma! - Sow - good! - And with what? - By Law "( Rheinhessen )
• " Buwe what hammer unit? - Kerweih! - What else? "- Dorscht! - Buwe, but Juxt mol - Ehhh " ( Billed / Banat )!
• "E alde custom of soan I must, is our Kerweihfescht un Kerweihboam. " ( Banat Swabians )
• " When was Kerwa is today? - Unnera " ( Upper Franconia ) In rural areas, but rather :" Who Kärwa hot? - Me! - What are we to drink? - Beer! - What ham for me to Durscht? - At Saudurscht "!
• " Who is the score? - Uus. - Who? - Uus. - Who? - Uus. - What drink ma? - Beer. - What? - Beer. - What? - Beer. - What drink the annere? - Kaba Kaba is keeping se gsund because se so hässlisch sin, so unwahrscheinlisch hässlisch sin. Do not be afraid! (Saarland)
• " Who is the Kirb? - Uus! - Who se? - Me! - Who is se? - Uus! - Who give her se Nimmi? - Me! - Who drinks it meischde beer? - Me! - Unn de brandy? - Aach " ( Tholey, Saarland )!
• " Fun fair, funfair, funfair is today! " ( Obereichsfeld, Südthüringen & Westthüringen)
• " The parish fair is Kumma, the parish fair is do! The ancients Brumma that Junga san fro " ( Swiss francs)
• " Bem is the fair? - Uns " ( Osthessen )
• " To whom it de Kemess? - Uus " (Nassau )
• "Who hot is the fair? - Mer Honn the fair " ( Knüllgebirge )
• "Hit isch Kilwi, morge isch Kilwi up on Zischtig Owä when i zue Danish Elisabeth kumm, i guatä Owä say. Guatä Owä Elizabeth, tell me where dei bedstead stands " (Baden)
• " Häint is Kirwa, moagn is Kirwa, üwamoagn scho wieda. Möidl wanns't kan Dantzer host gäih ham un ' leech di Nieda "( Cheb )
• " The Kässeler Kirb, the Kässeler Kirb is do what was the suffering so glad ..." and " S'is Kirb in the country, s'is Kirb in the country, in the beautiful Kasseltal ... " (Kassel ( Biebergemünd ) )
• " Virzen, fuffzen, Kirmse " ( Thuringia)

Traditions

Traditionally, people met after the show at the market place to buy from passing merchants goods. This tradition held in some places to this day.

At the parish fairs is next to religious ceremonies ( church services, Masses ) is often also a folk festival with rides (eg roundabouts ) and other amusements take place, often as a sales exhibition for livestock, other agricultural products or for goods of all kinds

When Kurpfälzer Kerwe the " Kerweschlumpel " custom is maintained - a female straw puppet participates in a prominent place at the church fete celebrations and is cared for by the young men of the place. At the end of the day Kerwe Kerweschlumpel is solemnly burned under a lot of wailing and after a grave speech of " Kerweparrers ".

Since dragged before the fair festivities still on the Monday addition, there are in Old Bavaria the saying: "A guate Kirta goes to Irta, and stay nacha picka, then stop to Micka " ( A good fair lasts until Tuesday, and it wears hang afterwards, then stop until Wednesday).

In many villages, it was considered important earlier that the fair lad chose a girl from a different location. A fair guy who chose a girl from the same place had, with various penalties (for example: spend beer to be locked into the pigsty, etc.) count. This custom appears to have respect for the prevention of inbreeding (see also: exogamy ).