Bücheler Einigkeit Kirmes am Hasten

Bescherungsverein Tradition since 1886

In Remscheid's Hasten district, in the southern Bergisches Land region of the Ruhr area, an almost forgotten form of tradition lives on: the Bescherungsverein. The Bücheler Einigkeit 1886 is Remscheid's oldest Bescherungsverein and hosts its traditional Kirmes am Hasten every two years. 2026 is 'Bescherung' time again: from Friday, September 4th, to Sunday, September 6th, 2026, on the church square of the Pauluskirche.

What is a Bescherungsverein?

Bescherungsvereine are a tradition from the Bergisches Land/Westphalia region from the mid-19th century: associations that collected money to 'gift' (bescheren) needy families in the district with food and monetary donations during the pre-Christmas or carnival season. Today, the association's purpose is less charitable/existential and more cultural/social — but with almost 140 years of club history, Bücheler Einigkeit continues to keep the concept of tradition alive.

Highlight: Hahneköppen on Sunday

The programmatic highlight is the traditional Hahneköppen on Sunday afternoon around 3:30 PM. In this old Bergisches Land custom, a wooden rooster — today with a dummy instead of a live animal — is placed on a pole and 'beheaded' in a competitive atmosphere. This custom from Bergisches Land folk tradition is practiced in a way that complies with all animal welfare standards while preserving its historical character. A form of intangible cultural heritage that has long since disappeared elsewhere in Germany.

Three Festival Days at the Church Square

Throughout the festival weekend, the church square of the Pauluskirche hosts a classic Kirmes program: music on a stage with local bands and club musicians, children's entertainment with a carousel, craft activities, and games, plus food and drink with Bergisches Land tavern cuisine — potato pancakes (Reibekuchen), bratwurst, Pilsner beer, and regional cheese specialties.

Remscheid-Hasten — Bergisches Character

Hasten is a typical Remscheid district in the southern Bergisches Land — shaped by its industrial history of steel and tool manufacturing, with compact residential buildings, old half-timbered houses, and narrow streets that give the feel of a small Bergisches Land town within a larger urban area. The Pauluskirche in the center of Hasten is the heart of the district — and thus the ideal venue for a traditional club festival with historical depth.

Every Two Years — The Next Kirmes 2028

Since the Bücheler Einigkeit hosts the Kirmes every two years (2024, 2026, 2028…), the 2026 event is an important marker in the calendar for many residents of Hasten. The festival isn't held every year — which adds to its value and means a special preparation time for the club's active members.