Kirwa Schwarzach b. Nabburg

Upper Palatinate Kirchweih Tradition

The Kirwa – the dialect term for Kirchweih – is far more than a folk festival in the Upper Palatinate: it is living village community. In Schwarzach near Nabburg in the Schwandorf district, the entire village celebrates its Kirwa on the first weekend in July in the community hall, the "Kirwastodl".

Three Days of Festival Program

Friday opens the Kirwa with a live band with free admission and an open bar. On Saturday, the Kirwabaum is erected: meeting point at the village square, from where the community walks together to the Kirwastodl, before a well-known party band creates a great atmosphere in the evening. Sunday begins with a church service and a procession of all participating clubs and visitors to the Kirwastodl, followed by the traditional morning pint with a brass band, lunch, and afternoon music.

Custom and Sociability

The erection of the Kirwabaum, the church procession, and the morning pint are integral parts of the Upper Palatinate Kirwa culture. Throughout the weekend, a raffle stand, bouncy castle, and children's program ensure that even the youngest guests get their money's worth – and of course, there is festival beer and grilled delicacies.

A Festival of Village Community

The Kirwa is supported by local clubs and the Kirwa community. It is a showcase of Upper Palatinate lifestyle in the Schwandorf district and demonstrates how vibrantly customs are maintained in the villages of Bavaria.