Rückersdorf Kärwa (Franconian Kirchweih)

A Franconian Kärwa Like From a Picture Book

Rückersdorf, with just under 5,000 inhabitants and located less than 20 kilometers east of Nuremberg, belongs to the Nürnberger Land district in the state of Bavaria. The Rückersdorf Kärwa — as the Kirchweih is called here in the Franconian dialect — is considered the highlight of the club year and attracts thousands of guests from the Nürnberger Land and the metropolitan region every year. For five days, the Kärwaboum and Kärwamadla, the young men and women of the village, take charge of the festival days.

Course of a Franconian Kirchweih

The Kärwa opens on Friday evening with a reception of guests at the festival tent entrance by the First Mayor and the local councillors. This is followed by the traditional beer tapping by the mayor, accompanied by the Kärwamusikanten (festival musicians) and a ceremonial entry of the Kärwaboum and -madla into the festival tent. On Saturday afternoon, the Kärwaboum fetch the Kärwabaum from Entenstraße to the festival grounds with a parade, and it is erected under the guidance of the Reinswald music band. A ribbon dance around the decorated tree and the enthronement of the Oberkärwaboum are part of the mandatory program.

Wheelbarrow Race and Tree Dancing

Tuesday evening is considered the secret highlight: From 7:30 PM, the Kärwaboum with wheelbarrows march from the Bürgersaal parking lot via the B 14 to the Schlossgasse festival grounds. The wheelbarrow race, a Franconian classic of Kirchweih customs, creates a jubilant atmosphere — ribbon ends are won, and a truly Franconian spectacle is delivered. Afterwards, the Kärwabaum is danced off. The ribbons are assigned to which Boum invites which Madla to dance — an old Middle Franconian tradition.

Live Music and Franconian Cuisine

A different band plays in the festival tent every evening: from »Sibaschu« to »Gin Tonic« to the local Kärwamusikanten and the Reinswald music band. At the festival grounds and in Schlossgasse, there are bratwurst, Schäuferla (pork shoulder), Sauerbraten (marinated roast beef), and coleslaw, accompanied by Franconian beers such as Tucher, Mönchshof, or Lammsbräu. The senior citizens' coffee on Tuesday morning also brings the older generation together.

In the Heart of the Kärwa Region

The Nürnberger Land is the Kärwa region par excellence: In the summer alone, more than 30 villages and districts celebrate their Kirchweih here. Rückersdorf, with its Kärwaboum active for several decades, has earned a reputation as a particularly lively and original Kärwa community — the event is supported by the association cartel and the municipality of Rückersdorf.