Fastnachtsumzug Hargarten

Faasend in Saarland

In Saarland, Carnival is not called Karneval, but Faasend – a distinct tradition with connections to Rhenish Fastnacht and Palatinate Fasenacht. Faasend has particularly deep roots in western Saarland, especially in the villages along the Saar river between Saarlouis and Merzig. Hargarten, a district of the municipality of Beckingen, is one of these villages with a well-maintained Carnival tradition.

The Hargarten Procession on Saturday

While Rosenmontag is the central Carnival day in many places, the Hargarten procession deliberately takes place on Fastnachtssamstag: this avoids scheduling conflicts with the large Rosenmontagszug in Saarlouis or other Rhenish highlights. The assembly point is at the intersection of Annastraße / Hargarter Straße / Straße "Am Rod" – the procession moves from there through Hargarter Straße and Straße "Am Hügel" to the Weidentalhalle, where it dissolves around 7:00 PM.

11:11 AM and 5:11 PM – Carnival Numbers

As with any Carnival club, the eleven-eleven o'clock moments are significant: The Hargarten procession traditionally starts at 5:11 PM – a program that follows Carnival customs and shifts the event into the evening and night hours. This makes the procession particularly atmospheric, as the floats are often illuminated as darkness falls.

Embedded in the Carnival Schedule

Beckingen publishes a Narrenfahrplan (carnival schedule) every year with all Faasend processions and events in the various districts (Hargarten, Honzrath, Beckingen, Düppenweiler, etc.) as well as the town hall storming. The Hargarten procession is an important part of this plan. In addition, a Children's Ball traditionally takes place in the Pfarrheim and the Weidentalhalle, framing the Carnival weekend.

In the Merzig-Wadern District

Beckingen, with its approximately 15,000 inhabitants, is one of the most significant rural municipalities in the Merzig-Wadern district. Its location in the Saarschleife region and its proximity to Luxembourg and France make the region an authentic melting pot of Saar, Luxembourgish, and Lorraine customs.