Hammelskerb Güdesweiler

A Village Fair with its Own Costume

Anyone strolling through the tranquil Güdesweiler in the St. Wendel district at the end of July will immediately notice a group of young men parading through the streets in white shirts, embroidered ram's heads, and red top hats. These are the Hämmel, and they are the masters of the festival. They have been organizing the local Kirmes (fair) since around 1750, making Güdesweiler home to one of the most traditional Hammelskerb celebrations in Saarland.

History and Tradition

Every adult male from Güdesweiler has the chance to serve as a "Hammel" once in his life. In 1995, the tradition nearly came to an end for the first time in centuries as no cohort was found. 31 men quickly joined forces, founded the IG Hämmel e.V. (Hämmel Interest Group) in 1996, and thus secured its continuation. Since then, the association has carried on the legacy together with the Dorfverein Güdesweiler e.V. (Village Association Güdesweiler), which has been operating the large festival tent for several years.

The Kirmesrede — Heart of the Festival

On Sunday afternoon, the Hammelskerb reaches its climax: After a solemn church service, during which the marksmen form an honour guard, the Hämmel march to the village square and deliver the Kirmesrede. What begins as a humorous review of the year quickly turns into a satirical settling of scores with everything that has gone wrong in the village over the past twelve months. No one is spared, not even the mayor.

Four Days of Fair Life

The fairground hosts dodgem cars, a children's carousel, a shooting gallery, and stalls selling sweets and wine. In the festival tent, brass bands, regional cover bands, and DJs take turns. The traditional opening on Friday evening is a Kirmes disco, on Sunday a dance band plays for the family lunch, and Monday is dedicated to the Frühschoppen (morning pint) with the local music club (most recently MV Steinberg-Deckenhardt). On Tuesday evening, the infamous Kerbebegräbnis takes place, including the initiation ("baptism") of the upcoming Hämmel cohort.

Why the Trip is Worthwhile

Unlike most Saarland fair festivals, which have long since been depoliticized and smoothed over for tourism, Güdesweiler has preserved its hearty village humour and the collective effort of all associations. Anyone seeking an authentic impression of rural life in northern Saarland will find themselves in the right place here.