Schipperhöge — Traditional Festival of the Lauenburg Shipmen's Brotherhood

A World Heritage Tradition Since 1635

The Schifferbrüderschaft of 1635 was founded during the Thirty Years' War to ensure mutual aid and a dignified burial for the Elbe shipmen and their families at the time. Over the centuries, this self-help association evolved into one of Northern Germany's oldest and most identity-defining traditions: the Schipperhöge (also known as Schiffersöge or Schippergilde-Höge). It takes place annually in January and is strictly held according to the statutes from the 'Schweinsledernes Buch' (Pigskin Book) — a leather-bound brotherhood manuscript that has regulated the festival's customs for centuries.

The 'Lustige Person' — Hans Wurst

The central figure of the festival is the Lustige Person, a Hans Wurst character in a patched jester's costume, traceable back to 1765. The original costume is preserved in the Elbschifffahrtsmuseum (River Elbe Shipping Museum). During the festival, the Lustige Person roams the old town shouting 'Immer lustig' (Always cheerful), throwing sweets to the crowd — to which the children reply 'Hurra'. They are accompanied by clowns in colourful costumes who give cheek kisses with red lipstick to guests.

The Festival Programme

The main elements are spread over three festival days:

• Saturday Route of the Lustige Person — starting at 8:45 AM at the Weingartenschule with stops throughout Lauenburg
• Ceremonial Procession at 2:00 PM — the highlight: Lustige Person, clowns, children with historical ship models (Concordia, large and small beer barge, cargo model), ship bearers with coloured hatbands as rank insignia, two marching bands, honoured guests, shipmen brothers, historical flags from 1811, 1894, 1935, and 1985
• Two Festive Balls each starting at 8:00 PM (doors open 7:00 PM) — Friday exclusively for shipmen brothers, Saturday open to guests, featuring a unique mix of modern dance music and traditional Schifferstänze (shipmen's dances)

What You'll Experience

Anyone participating in the ceremonial procession on Saturday afternoon will witness a cohesive historical reenactment, rarely seen today: children carrying heavy ship models through Lauenburg's old town; the Lustige Person, in centuries-old attire, engaging in their playful antics; shipmen brothers in traditional habit; historical flags leading the way. The Lauenburg public knows the routes and rituals — first-time visitors will be transported to another era.

Lauenburg in the District of Herzogtum Lauenburg

Lauenburg an der Elbe is a small Hanseatic town in the Duchy of Lauenburg district in southern Schleswig-Holstein. Located directly on the Elbe, with its historic old town, castle, and the River Elbe Shipping Museum, the town was a central transhipment point for Elbe shipping for centuries. The Shipmen's Brotherhood is the living memory of this past.