Altweiber in the Altenkirchen District

Altweiberdonnerstag – also known as Weiberfastnacht – marks the actual start of the 'hot phase' of Carnival in the Altenkirchen district. As everywhere in the Rhineland, women symbolically seize power on this day: they march on the town halls with drums and trumpets, demand entry, take command, and cut off the ties of the men present.

Carnival Strongholds in the District

Altweiber is celebrated with particular intensity in the Altenkirchen district: in the town of Wissen, in Betzdorf, in Altenkirchen, in Herdorf, and in Kirchen. Each of these strongholds has its own traditions, carnival societies, and schedule, but they all share one thing: from late morning onwards, there is exuberant celebration in market squares, city centers, and festival tents.

Town Hall Storming and Early Closures

Town halls in the district close their regular doors at 10 a.m. on Altweiberdonnerstag – only to open them shortly thereafter for carnival-goers. Mayors and administrative leaders ritually surrender to the women, hand over the keys, and accept a few tie-cuttings. In the Betzdorf-Gebhardshain administrative district, the tradition has been maintained alternately in the town halls of Betzdorf and Gebhardshain since the merger.

Festival Tents and Stages

Afterward, carnival-goers gather in festival tents, halls, and squares. In Altenkirchen, the festival tent at Weyerdamm is the central meeting point; in Wissen, it's the city center and the kulturWERKwissen; in Betzdorf, it's the Stadthalle and the market square. Live bands, DJs, and carnival music shape the program until the late evening hours.

Prelude to the Great Week

Altweiber is the prelude to an entire carnival week, culminating in the Rosenmontag (Rose Monday) parade. Between Thursday and Ash Wednesday, Herdorf, Altenkirchen, and Wissen host further sessions, children's carnivals, and parades – Altweiber is, so to speak, the gateway to a whole week of festivities.