Querfurt Pfingstfest Thaldorf

A Pentecost Tradition Since 1988

Anyone looking for genuine, living Pentecost customs in Saxony-Anhalt will find it in Thaldorf, a district of Querfurt in the Saalekreis district. Since 1988, the Thaldorfer Pfingstburschen e.V. – an association of young men from the village – have organized the Pentecost festival, which, with its five festival days from Pentecost Friday to Pentecost Tuesday and the subsequent Garlic Wednesday, is one of the most extensive in the region.

Maypole Decoration, Serenade Playing, Roast Pork

The program follows a centuries-old pattern that has been preserved in its original form in Thaldorf: On Pentecost Friday, the young men go into the forest to cut young birch trees ("Maien") which they then lean against the houses of their supporters and the local dignitaries at night – a gesture of gratitude with roots in early Christian customs. On Pentecost Sunday, the high festival, the young men, accompanied by brass bands, parade through the village starting at 7 a.m. and play "Ständchen" (serenades) – the residents are woken up by brass music and treat the musicians to schnapps and sausages. Pentecost Monday features the big roast pork meal in the festival tent, a tug-of-war competition between clubs and the Pfingstburschen, and a fashion show by the local trade association.

Festival Tent, Rock Night, Disco

In addition to the traditional program, there's everything that belongs to a village festival: A large festival tent on the festival grounds at Braunsbrunnen, a rock night on Pentecost Saturday, disco evenings for young people, a cake bazaar by the Thaldorf girls on Pentecost Sunday, and a children's festival with carousels, a petting zoo, and train and carriage rides. Admission to the general festival grounds is free – concerts and festival tent events have separate admission fees.

Well Festival on Garlic Wednesday

The Pentecost festival is rounded off by the well festival on the following Garlic Wednesday (the Wednesday after Pentecost): A new "Brunnenherr" (well master) is appointed in the presence of the Pfingstburschen – a very local tradition that clearly distinguishes Querfurt from other Pentecost festivals in Saxony-Anhalt.

Part of the Querfurt Pentecost Festival Chain

The Thaldorf Pentecost festival is part of a veritable chain of Pentecost festivals in the Saalekreis: The Querfurt districts of Leimbach, Oberschmon, Liederstädt, and Ziegelroda also celebrate their own Pentecost festivals with similar traditions. Those who want to experience traditional Pentecost in its full depth can travel between the festival locations – the Pfingstburschen associations respect each other and coordinate.