Kindervogelschießen Nordermeldorf

A Children's Tradition in the Marsh

The Vogelschießen — the competition where a wooden bird on a high pole is shot down piece by piece until the "king" brings down the rest — is one of the oldest North German club traditions, especially in Schleswig-Holstein. In Dithmarschen and Nordfriesland, many villages have their own Kindervogelschießen, which introduces club culture to the younger generation and allows them to participate in the ritual of marksmanship in an age-appropriate form (wooden rifles with suction cup darts or heavy bolts).

Hof von Horsten — The Festival Grounds

In Nordermeldorf, the Kindervogelschießen traditionally takes place at the von Horsten family's farm in the Thalingburen district. The farm offers space for the competition setup (bird pole, shooting range), a festival meadow for a picnic atmosphere, and the typical Dithmarschen marsh landscape as a backdrop. The von Horsten family has been involved in village life for generations — a constant in the cultural fabric.

Competition and Royal Couple

The children compete at the wooden bird, divided into age groups. Whoever shoots down the last piece of wood is proclaimed the Kinder-König (children's king) or Kinder-Königin (children's queen) and officially crowned for one year. The award ceremony with trophies, certificates, and sashes is the emotional highlight of the festival. Afterwards, a communal meal and games — a classic village summer festival with real community life.

Nordermeldorf in Dithmarschen

Nordermeldorf is a small municipality with around 700 inhabitants in the district of Dithmarschen (Schleswig-Holstein), part of the Amt Mitteldithmarschen. The municipality is divided into several districts, including Thalingburen and the main village of Nordermeldorf. The marsh landscape, the typical Dithmarschen farmhouses, and the active community life (ring riders' club, shooting club, fire brigade, sports club) characterize the community.