Brekendorf Gildefest 2026

225 Years of Guild History

The Brekendorf Totengilde is one of the oldest documented associations in the region. Its roots reach back to the 18th century — surviving records document the club tradition continuously for over 225 years. 1896, the current predecessor association was founded as a Sterbekasse (burial fund), which was renamed Totengilde in 1950. The guild currently has around 200 members — an astonishing number for a village with just 1,300 inhabitants.

What is a Totengilde?

A Totengilde is a North German tradition whose roots lie in the late Middle Ages. Originally, it was a community whose members mutually secured their burials — contributions financed the solemn funeral of deceased members. Today, the focus is on nurturing the village community: the annual Gildefest is an anchor of identity for many residents and, at the same time, the social highlight of Brekendorf's year.

The Festival Schedule

Friday Evening — Wreath Binding

The festival begins on Friday evening at the community's Waldhütte (forest hut): members gather for a communal wreath-binding, the Gildebaum (guild tree) is prepared, and the Gildeplatz (guild square) is decorated. A small get-together in the forest hut concludes the first day.

Saturday — Main Day

The main festival day takes place (almost) every year on the first Saturday in June. The day's program follows a traditional pattern:

• Mornings — Erection of the guild tree, decoration of the guild square
• Late Morning — Festival parade through the village, accompanied by a music band
• Midday — Joint lunch for guild members and their families
• Afternoon — Shooting competition to determine the new king or queen
• Evening — Proclamation of the new king, followed by the guild ball with music and dancing

Brekendorf — on the Hüttener Berg

Brekendorf is located in the Rendsburg-Eckernförde district on the edge of the Hüttener Berge (Hütten Hills) — a small terminal moraine landscape that forms the hilly highlight of the otherwise flat region. With the neighboring Hüttener Berge Nature Park, Brekendorf is surrounded by forests and hills — a picturesque backdrop for the Gildefest. In terms of transport, Brekendorf is located directly on the B203 between Eckernförde and Schleswig.

Living Tradition

With 225 years of documented history and 200 active members, the Brekendorf Gildefest shows how North German customs remain alive to this day. New members are explicitly welcome — the guild aims to pass on the tradition to the next generation.