Maibaum-Fest Güster

Maypole Raising — An Old Tradition

The Maypole is one of the oldest symbols of spring in German-speaking regions. A tall, peeled pole, decorated with ribbons, wreaths, or a small fir tree, is erected in the village on May 1st (or the first weekend of May) – as a sign of spring's vitality. In Schleswig-Holstein, and especially in the southeastern district of Herzogtum Lauenburg, this custom is still practiced in many villages today.

Güster — A Village by the Schaalsee Area

Güster is located in the Amt Sandesneben-Nusse in the district of Herzogtum Lauenburg, near the border with Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and not far from the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Schaalsee. With just over 900 inhabitants, Güster is a typical village in the region. The annual Maibaum-Fest on the village square is one of the characteristic dates in the village calendar.

Raising — The Main Attraction

The actual raising of the Maypole is always the central act. Using poles, ropes, and manpower (increasingly also womanpower), the decorated fir tree is erected – a visibly physical effort that gets the whole village involved. The volunteer fire department is traditionally involved, and firefighters from neighboring communities often visit.

Beer, Sausages, and Music Afterwards

After the raising, the social part begins: beer, bratwurst, fries, often live music or a DJ, dancing late into the evening. The character of the festival is village-like and unpretentious – the mix of tradition and conviviality makes the Maibaum-Fest a familiar date in the region's spring calendar. In the state of Schleswig-Holstein, it is one of those events that manage without marketing money.