Brand Kirchweih (Kirwawoche)

Upper Palatinate Kirwa Tradition

The Brand Kirchweih (in Upper Palatinate dialect "Kirwa") is an example of the particularly strong Kirwa culture in the Oberpfalz. While Kirchweih festivals have declined in many other Bavarian regions due to structural changes, the Kirwa in the Oberpfalz is maintained with great commitment – as an identity-creating village festival that connects generations, brings young men and women together as Kirwa couples, and carries a distinct regional character with its own customs (Plärnummern, Kirwabaum, Umtänze).

Four Festival Days – Each with its Own Character

The Brand Kirwa weekend is spread over four days with clearly assigned program points:

• Friday – Kirwa Opening at the settlers' in Neubrand (organized by the Settlers' Association): the festival days are opened, the Kirwabaum is erected, the first atmosphere is created
• Saturday – Kirwa Hike and Kirwa Dance: Morning hike by the OG Oberölbühl, evening grand Kirwa dance in the multi-purpose hall (organized by the Theater Group)
• Sunday – Sportplatzkirwa at SSV Brand: Main festival day with Frühschoppen, Kirwa meal, dances, and a carousel for children
• Monday – "Kirwa Umespüln und Stinglessen": traditional festival finale with wood clearing and a communal meal (Theater Group)

Customs: Plärnummern, Kirwabaum, Couple Dancing

Typical for the Upper Palatinate is the formation of Kirwa couples: young unmarried men and women are assigned as couples for the duration of the Kirwa. The young women wear self-braided flower wreaths in their hair, the men decorate their hats with flowers. The couple dances the traditional dances. The Plärnummern (Kirwa calls with a loud "Allerweltskirwa" shout) and the Umtänzeln (dancing around) of the Kirwabaum are important ritual elements.

Brand in the Tirschenreuth District

Brand is a small municipality with around 1,450 inhabitants in the Tirschenreuth district in the Upper Palatinate. It belongs to the administrative community of Neusorg. The municipality is characterized by the Steinwald – a medium-sized low mountain range between the Fichtelgebirge and the Oberpfälzer Wald. The vibrant association structure (Settlers' Association, Theater Group, Sports Club SSV, Heritage Association) is a prerequisite for a Kirwa program of this density.

Allerweltskirchweih as Historical Background

The Kirchweih in the Upper Palatinate is traditionally celebrated on a uniform date – the Allerweltskirchweih. This tradition dates back to Elector Maximilian IV, who decreed in 1786 that all Kirchweih festivals in Bavaria should be held on a single Sunday to end the multitude of local Kirchweihen. In Bavaria, this is traditionally the third Sunday in October (in Brand in 2026, this falls on October 18th).