28th Brandenburger Schlachtefest

Brandenburger Schlachtefest — A Brandenburg Identity Event

Since 1999, the Brandenburger Schlachtefest has been one of Brandenburg's largest regional markets and a deliberate staging of the state's traditional rural butchery culture. The organizer is the pro agro e.V. association — the central player in promoting the rural areas of Brandenburg and Berlin. The focus is not on a mere feast, but on imparting knowledge about animal husbandry, butchery craft, and regional processing — topics that are increasingly losing visibility in times of industrialized food production.

MAFZ Erlebnispark Paaren — Brandenburg's Rural Showcase

The venue is the MAFZ Erlebnispark Paaren im Glien — the Märkisches Ausstellungs- und Freizeitzentrum (Brandenburg Exhibition and Leisure Center), located in the municipality of Schönwalde-Glien (district of Havelland). The MAFZ is an 80-hectare exhibition and event area with a zoo, play and leisure facilities, and a wide range of events for Brandenburg's rural population. A perfect setting for the Schlachtefest.

Slaughter Demonstration by Neumann Butcher Shop Petkus

The highlight is the live slaughter and butchering demonstrations by the Neumann butcher shop from Petkus, showcasing the traditional craft live — from cutting to sausage production. These demonstrations are the educational core: they make visible what meat production means artisanally, explicitly contrasting with the anonymity of industrial slaughterhouses. In addition, there is game processing, craft demonstrations, bread and cheese production, Brandenburg beer, and wine.

Family Program and New 'Landurlaub Brandenburg' Catalog

Despite the theme, the Schlachtefest is consistently family-friendly: face painting, craft stations, a Schlachtefest rally playfully guides children through the program. Traditionally, the new 'Landurlaub Brandenburg' catalog is also presented at the Schlachtefest — a directory of rural Brandenburg accommodation and experience providers, available free of charge upon request. Thus, the festival combines the staging of culinary delights with the promotion of rural tourism in the state of Brandenburg.