Kirchweih

Kirchweih:  What is it and what does it mean?

Kirchweih is a traditional German festival.  It translates to Church Consecration from the words Kirche (church) and weihen (to bless or consecrate).  It is the celebration of the anniversary of the church’s consecration.  Most of the festivals are a celebration on the day of the church’s patron saint’s day or the day of the laying of the foundation stone. Today, they are often celebrated the following weekend. It is like many German festivals, a celebration with fairs, rides,  traditional trachten, music, bier drinking, dancing and of course food.  The food includes a local specialty called the Kirchweihnudeln (donut) in Bavaria.  The festival can be a one-day event or can stretch to an entire week.  It is also celebrated in many cities in the United States including Cincinnati, Cleveland, Trenton and Philly.

The celebration, not only celebrates the date of the church consecration, but also celebrates a good year.  It is celebrated prior to the beginning of the Fall and Winter holidays.  Also, it is, in many areas, celebrated by the young people because they are coming of age (16) and can not imbibe. 

Traditions vary by region. In some areas there are special foods, such as the Bavarian Kirchweihnudeln (donut) to Franconian where unmarried couples dance around the Kirwabaum, a tree, usually a linden, erected and used similar to a Maipole.  The Rhineland hangs a ‘kerwestrauβ’, which is a large pole where thousands of colored paper strips are hung.   In Upper Swabia there is a ‘Strass’, a decorated rosemary bush that is blessed.   The event is held throughout Germany and in several other parts of Europe.

Even the name of the event varies with Bavaria and Upper Swabia (Kirchweih or Kirta), Franconia (Käwa), Rhineland (Kiremes) and the Banet in Eastern Europe.  My family is in Thuringen and there it is celebrated at the end of summer. 

The time of year did vary by region, however, Bavaria has set the time for the event in their state for the third Sunday in October.  I was told that Franconia (part of Bavaria) celebrates the event in mid-July.

Regardless of the differences, the core of the event is the religious celebration of the church and the festivities usually begin with a service dedicated to the event.  The event lasts anywhere from one day to four.