We had only learned of this traditional small town festival the other day, but I found it interesting enough to want to go, and I am glad that we did!
The raising of the Kirwabaum (Kirwa tree) kicks off this festival, and it's quite a sight to watch!
The Kirwa Fest in Vilseck, Germany celebrates the town's "main" church consecration anniversary. The church in Vilseck's case is Saint Agidus, consecrated in 1412!
By Bavarian Royal Order, this fest takes place on the third October weekend of every year. Though originally celebrated around the town's church consecration anniversary, the government thought by setting the date around a colder time of year would help ward off tourists.
DAY ONE:The men townsfolk come together to find the perfect "kirwa baum" in local forest land, likely owned by a local farmer. They raise this decorated tree, and do it without the help of a crane, or heavy machinery. They get a tiny bit of help from a tractor, but not in the entire lifting sense. The tractor helps stabilize and hold the tree at the beginning of the task. Because the tree is top heavy (especially while it's sideways) the tractor ensures that it doesn't snap at the middle during the initial part of raising it.
The tree itself is stripped of bark before the day it is raised, and bark is left in some places to make designs. The initials carved toward the top symbolize the name of the property owner where the tree came from. The town name and the current year are also carved into it as well. Ribbons hang down, and wreaths are placed along the trunk. Some towns have multiple wreaths, and most towns choose different colors. We've seen kirwa baums in other cities with red ribbons, yellow ribbons, and some even have six wreaths along the trunk.
The tree itself stands about 30 meters high. That's nearly 100ft! Only about 2-2.5 meters (roughly 6-8ft) are left alone at the tippy top of the tree.
The boss man yells when he wants the others to heave-ho. It was quite amusing. I should note that all of the men participating seemed to be having a good time. It looked like a lot of work, to say the least, but they were in good spirits. I wonder if it had anything to do with the fact that some were drinking beer while working?
The raising of the Kirwabaum (Kirwa tree) kicks off this festival, and it's quite a sight to watch!
The Kirwa Fest in Vilseck, Germany celebrates the town's "main" church consecration anniversary. The church in Vilseck's case is Saint Agidus, consecrated in 1412!
By Bavarian Royal Order, this fest takes place on the third October weekend of every year. Though originally celebrated around the town's church consecration anniversary, the government thought by setting the date around a colder time of year would help ward off tourists.
DAY ONE:The men townsfolk come together to find the perfect "kirwa baum" in local forest land, likely owned by a local farmer. They raise this decorated tree, and do it without the help of a crane, or heavy machinery. They get a tiny bit of help from a tractor, but not in the entire lifting sense. The tractor helps stabilize and hold the tree at the beginning of the task. Because the tree is top heavy (especially while it's sideways) the tractor ensures that it doesn't snap at the middle during the initial part of raising it.
The tree itself is stripped of bark before the day it is raised, and bark is left in some places to make designs. The initials carved toward the top symbolize the name of the property owner where the tree came from. The town name and the current year are also carved into it as well. Ribbons hang down, and wreaths are placed along the trunk. Some towns have multiple wreaths, and most towns choose different colors. We've seen kirwa baums in other cities with red ribbons, yellow ribbons, and some even have six wreaths along the trunk.
The tree itself stands about 30 meters high. That's nearly 100ft! Only about 2-2.5 meters (roughly 6-8ft) are left alone at the tippy top of the tree.
The boss man yells when he wants the others to heave-ho. It was quite amusing. I should note that all of the men participating seemed to be having a good time. It looked like a lot of work, to say the least, but they were in good spirits. I wonder if it had anything to do with the fact that some were drinking beer while working?
Photos of the tree raising celebration are a bit unjust. This process took quite awhile! We didn't stay long after the tree was placed because we had other priorities, but there was supposedly dancing, food, booze, and music following the tree raising that evening. The Kirwafest is a weekend celebration, with the tree raising on a Saturday kicking it off. We planned to return the next day to watch some of the other festivities. The following photos and text are of the next day.
On the second day, the real traditional elements come out of the town. On the second day of the fest, you'll hear the Bavarian bands playing, you'll see local dressed in tratch (traditional Bavarian dresswear), and the food and spirits are flowing.
Day two supposedly starts by a wagon full of young men going through the town to pick up young women. Early 20s best describes the ages of these folks. We weren't there for this part, so I am not sure if Vilseck does it this way?
Day two supposedly starts by a wagon full of young men going through the town to pick up young women. Early 20s best describes the ages of these folks. We weren't there for this part, so I am not sure if Vilseck does it this way?
According to my knowledge and local resources, the wagon then drops the young folks off near the Kirwa baum location, where the festival continues.
We arrived in time to find the young men and women getting ready for a processional walk into the burg grounds. A Bavarian band leads the way, the young people follow, and yes, all while wearing dirndls and lederhose.
We arrived in time to find the young men and women getting ready for a processional walk into the burg grounds. A Bavarian band leads the way, the young people follow, and yes, all while wearing dirndls and lederhose.
Once they arrive to the Kirwabaum, they begin traditional dancing. At first I couldn't tell if the men and women were already established couples or just participants, but watching the body language between each pair, I knew that they were already 'items'.
Contrary to some of the information I have read on other blogs or websites, some of these couples were already married, and a few had children. According to the internet, and legit resources, this type of festival usually has single men and women participants, 'of age'. I know this isn't true for Vilseck's version. During one of the dances, a couple dipped out to deal with a crying child who was in the crowd. They way they held her let me know that she was their kid.
The couples dance, and dance, and dance; often pausing for a beer break. This was the first time I actually saw Germans drinking out of those fancy steins! We've been to many restaurants and such where beer is generally served in a tall pilsner or mug glass. I began to wonder until this festival if decorative steins are just for that: Decoration. Or maybe a touristy thing to buy at Oktoberfest?
The couples dance, and dance, and dance; often pausing for a beer break. This was the first time I actually saw Germans drinking out of those fancy steins! We've been to many restaurants and such where beer is generally served in a tall pilsner or mug glass. I began to wonder until this festival if decorative steins are just for that: Decoration. Or maybe a touristy thing to buy at Oktoberfest?
But nope, they were actually using them. If you find yourself reading this, thinking "Well, actually steins are..." remember that I am new here, and still learning! I report what I see!
The music stops for a bit, and then their tradition involving the actual Kirwa tree happens. The couples dance to a song while passing a bouquet around. When an alarm goes off, the couple with the bouquet wins and is crowned the "oberkircheweihepaar", or simply Kirwa king and queen. The Kirwa couple then claims their prizes by climbing a ladder to retrieve the prize baskets, which are hanging on the kirwabaum.
The music stops for a bit, and then their tradition involving the actual Kirwa tree happens. The couples dance to a song while passing a bouquet around. When an alarm goes off, the couple with the bouquet wins and is crowned the "oberkircheweihepaar", or simply Kirwa king and queen. The Kirwa couple then claims their prizes by climbing a ladder to retrieve the prize baskets, which are hanging on the kirwabaum.
The last photo shows a participant nailing the winner's clothing items to the tree. A pair of boxers, a hat, and some shoes. I am not certain as to what the reason behind this is, but it left me curious!
The Kirwafest was an interesting small town experience. I highly encourage anyone to go to a similar event if you have the opportunity. Seeing the events unfold during Kirwafest was unlike anything else we have done in Germany thus far. No tourists, no glamorous highly-praised beer fest (think Oktoberfest), just locals having fun.
The Kirwafest was an interesting small town experience. I highly encourage anyone to go to a similar event if you have the opportunity. Seeing the events unfold during Kirwafest was unlike anything else we have done in Germany thus far. No tourists, no glamorous highly-praised beer fest (think Oktoberfest), just locals having fun.
This weekend actually made me feel as if I really live here now. Seeing something that tourists do not get to do often gives one a sense of establishment, as if you belong in the community. Can't wait to go to next years Kirwafest!
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