Kirwa Pertolzhofen

A Kirwa in the Heart of the Upper Palatinate

The Kirwa Pertolzhofen – often called "Bertzhofer Kirwa" in the Upper Palatinate dialect – is the highlight of the year for the district of Pertolzhofen, a small village community in the municipality of Niedermurach in the Schwandorf district. With its Kirwapaare, traditional dance, Frühschoppen, and musical accompaniment by the Edelweißkapelle Pertolzhofen, it embodies typical Upper Palatinate customs.

Kirwapaare 2026: Verena Fink and Stefan Luber

As in many Upper Palatinate villages, a Kirwapaar is chosen each year in Pertolzhofen – a young couple from the village who opens the festival in traditional costume and symbolically represents it. In 2026, Verena Fink and Stefan Luber will take on this role, carrying on a tradition passed down from generation to generation.

Vereinstodl as the Festival Venue

The venue is the Vereinstodl Pertolzhofen, the village's communal club house and festival building. Frühschoppen, dance evenings, and catering take place here. The Edelweißkapelle Pertolzhofen performs several times during the festival, providing the musical thread of the event.

Course of an Upper Palatinate Kirwa

A traditional Upper Palatinate Kirwa spans several days – usually from Friday to Monday or Saturday to Sunday. Highlights in Pertolzhofen include the Frühschoppen Kirwa on October 4, 2026, with a performance by the Edelweißkapelle. From the solemn raising of the Kirwabaum (Kirwa tree) to the "Austanzen" (final dance) of the Kirwapaar, the festival follows a choreography passed down through generations.

Pertolzhofen and the Upper Palatinate Forest

Pertolzhofen is located in the Schwandorf district, on the edge of the Upper Palatinate Forest, in a region characterized by forestry, granite quarrying, and a strong club culture. With the Edelweißkapelle, the village has a musical institution that accompanies not only its own Kirwa but also numerous other festivals in the region – from Maypole raising to Corpus Christi processions and Remembrance Day.