Osterfeuer of the Rickling Volunteer Fire Brigade

Rickling — Community near Segeberg Forest

Rickling is a community of around 2,500 inhabitants in the Segeberg district in the state of Schleswig-Holstein, located about 10 kilometers south of Bad Segeberg on the edge of the Segeberger Forst (Segeberg Forest). Like many villages in this region, social life in Rickling is strongly driven by the commitment of its clubs and associations — the Rickling Volunteer Fire Brigade is among the most traditional and active.

Osterfeuer in Northern Germany

The Osterfeuer is an Easter tradition particularly prominent in Northern Germany: in many villages, a large woodpile is built up in the weeks before Easter, which is lit by clubs or the fire brigade on Holy Saturday (or Easter Sunday) evening. Its origin lies in a pre-Christian spring custom that was overlaid with Christian meaning by the church — today, the occasion signifies community, the beginning of spring, and the preservation of customs.

How the Osterfeuer in Rickling Works

• Woodpile — piled up for weeks before Easter behind the fire station
• Lighting on Holy Saturday evening by the FFW Rickling
• Catering — sausages, fries, mulled wine, beer
• Music from loudspeakers, possibly a small band
• Family-friendly — children's area with stick bread over a small fire
• Donations for the fire brigade welcome

Club Life and Fundraising Occasion

The Osterfeuer is not only a celebration of custom but also an important fundraising event for the Volunteer Fire Brigade. Proceeds from sausages, drinks, and voluntary donations are used to finance club acquisitions — protective clothing, technical equipment, club supplies. In Schleswig-Holstein, and especially in the Segeberg district, such club festivals are essential for the operational capability of the volunteer fire brigades.