Haschemer Kerb Harxheim

The Haschemer Kerb is the annual Kirchweih festival of the Harxheim district of the municipality Zellertal in the Donnersbergkreis. The designation "Haschem" for Harxheim is the Palatinate dialect form of the place name and a good example of the region's vibrant dialect culture.

Zellertal as a Wine-Growing Region

The Zellertal lies on the border between the northern Palatinate wine-growing region and Rheinhessen. The municipality of Zellertal was formed from the merger of the formerly independent villages of Harxheim, Niefernheim, and Zell, and it is part of the Rheinhessen wine-growing region. The wineries in the Zellertal are known beyond the region for their Rieslings, Burgundies, and red wines.

Palatinate Kerb Tradition

The Haschemer Kerb follows the classic Palatinate Kerb rhythm with Kerweborsch (Kerb lads), Kerwerede (Kerb speech), and Kerweumzug (Kerb parade). The Kerb opens on Friday evening, Saturday is for a dance or party night, Sunday features the traditional Frühschoppen and the Kerwe parade in the afternoon. Afterwards, the festival activities are the focus, before the Kerb is symbolically buried on Monday or Sunday evening.

Wine, Tradition, and Sociability

Unlike some village Kerwen, wine plays a special role in the Zellertal: Palatinate and Rheinhessen wines from the surrounding wineries are served, complemented by the usual Palatinate festival repertoire. The combination of Kerb customs and wine culture makes the special character of the Kerwen in the Zellertal.

District Identity

Despite belonging to the municipality of Zellertal, the districts of Harxheim, Niefernheim, and Zell each maintain their own Kerb tradition. Thus, the Haschemer Kerb on the fourth weekend of September fits into a year-round series of smaller and larger festivals in the Zellertal.