Besseringen Homeland and Lentil Festival

A Homeland Festival in Honour of the Lentil

Besseringen is a district of Merzig in the Merzig-Wadern district, located on the Saar loop near the Saarschleife. What makes the place a culinary specialty: the lentil. Until the 20th century, Besseringen was known for its lentil cultivation — the hilly, calcareous soils offered ideal conditions for the legume, which, along with Schwenker (grilled meat skewers) and Lyoner (a type of sausage), belongs to the culinary heritage of Saarland farmer's cuisine.

Lentil Princess and Lentil Queen

The highlight of the festival is the proclamation of the Lentil Queen on Saturday evening. A young woman from the village is crowned as the representative of the lentil tradition and holds this honour for one year. The tradition dates back to the mid-20th century when the Besseringen lentil — almost disappeared in the meantime — was to be remembered anew. Today, the Lentil Queen is an ambassador for the Saarland Slow Food movement and regional agriculture.

Grandma's Kitchen

The culinary programme is entirely dedicated to traditional cuisine: lentil soup with Saumagen (a type of stuffed pig's stomach), Lyoner with fried egg, Schwenker with fried potatoes, Pfälzer Saumagen, homemade cakes, and tarts. The local clubs — sports clubs, fire brigade, heritage society, parish — jointly handle the catering. Wine from the Mosel region — Perl is only 25 kilometres away — also flows abundantly.

Dancing, Morning Pint, Cultural Programme

The festival begins on Saturday evening at 6 p.m. with music and dancing, culminates in the proclamation of the Lentil Queen, and continues late into the night. Sunday starts at 10 a.m. with the traditional morning pint (Frühschoppen) — brass music, a glass of Pils, and convivial gathering. Afterwards, a cultural programme with local clubs, show dancing, and children's games.

Saarschleife and Besseringen

Anyone visiting the Lentil Festival should definitely visit the Saarschleife near Mettlach — Germany's most famous river bend is only 8 kilometres away. The Villeroy & Boch town of Mettlach with its museums and the Keltenburg is also worth a visit. Besseringen itself surprises with quiet walking paths along the Saar.