Kirmes Schönau an der Hörsel

Decades of Traditional Kirmes

The Kirmes Schönau an der Hörsel is one of the most traditional village fairs in the western Thuringian Wartburgkreis district. The venue is the Festwiese Schönau (Schönau festival grounds) in the Schönau a.d. Hörsel district of the municipality Wutha-Farnroda. The organizer is the Kirmesgesellschaft Schönau a.d. Hörsel e.V., an association active for generations, which organizes the festival and preserves traditional village life.

Program — Dance Evening, Frühschoppen, Kirmesbeerdigung

The program follows the classic Kirmes schedule: Opening on Friday evening with a dance evening and live music in the festival tent, Saturday program with dancing and performances by regional bands, Sunday morning «Frühschoppen» (morning pint) with brass music, children's fair in the afternoon, and the traditional «Kirmesbeerdigung» (fair funeral) in the evening — a humorous farewell to the Kirmes with a ceremonial funeral procession through the village, during which a symbolic «Kirmessack» (fair sack) is buried, marking the end of the festival weekend.

Schönau a.d. Hörsel — Hörsel Valley in the Wartburgkreis

Schönau an der Hörsel is a district of the municipality Wutha-Farnroda in the Wartburgkreis, about 8 kilometers northeast of Eisenach. The municipality is located in the valley of the Hörsel, a tributary of the Werra river. The district has around 700 inhabitants and is part of the western Thuringian low mountain range foothills — a region where the Kirmes tradition is particularly vibrantly preserved.

State of Thuringia — Tradition of the Hörsel Region

The Hörsel region between Eisenach and Gotha in the state of Thuringia is known for its village fairs and folk festivals. Those arriving for the Kirmes Schönau can easily combine the visit with Wartburg Castle in Eisenach (UNESCO World Heritage, 10 km), Hainich National Park (15 km), or a hike in the Hörsel valley.