Furtwangen Landscape Meeting of the Narrenzünfte

Double Anniversary in Furtwangen

The Narrenzunft Furtwangen is celebrating a triple anniversary in 2026: 100 years of the guild's existence (founded in 1926), 75 years of membership in the Association of Swabian-Alemannic Narrenzünfte (VSAN, since 1951), and 125 years of the Furtwanger Narrenmarsch (composed in 1901). On the occasion of this triple anniversary, Furtwangen is hosting the VSAN Landscape Meeting – a major event of the Swabian-Alemannic Fasnet, which takes place every few years in changing locations.

VSAN as an Umbrella Organization

The VSAN is the most important umbrella organization for the Swabian-Alemannic Fasnet, one of Europe's oldest and most culturally significant carnival forms. It comprises 68 member guilds from Baden, Württemberg, Bavaria, and Switzerland. In contrast to the Rhenish carnival with its seated events and festive announcements, the Swabian-Alemannic Fasnet focuses on centuries-old masks, city parades, and ritualized encounters between guilds – a tradition that is particularly central to Furtwangen as a Black Forest community.

Saturday and Sunday Program

Saturday, January 31, 2026, opens with the raising of the Narrenbaum (jester's tree) in the market square, followed by the proclamation of the main points. In the evening, the Hemdglunkerumzug takes place – the Hemdglonker, dressed in white nightgowns and pointed hats, march through the city with drums and bells, symbolically driving away winter. Sunday, February 1, 2026, is dedicated to the Grand Narrensprung – the central program highlight of every Landscape Meeting. 28 VSAN guilds and 17 invited guest guilds parade through Furtwangen's city center – more than 4,000 costumed figures in their traditional wooden masks and costumes, some of which are part of the intangible UNESCO heritage.

Furtwangen — Home of the Black Forest Clock

With just under 9,000 inhabitants, Furtwangen is a High Black Forest community in the Schwarzwald-Baar district and is considered the cradle of the Black Forest clock. The town houses the German Clock Museum, one of Europe's most important horological collections, and is home to the Furtwangen University of Applied Sciences. Its location at an altitude of 870 meters makes Furtwangen one of Germany's highest towns – the Swabian-Alemannic Fasnet is particularly intensely lived here due to the harsh climate and the Catholic folk piety tradition.