Hello from Kaye . I just found out that Meistertrunk will occur while we are visiting Rothenburg. i have gone to the website and read old helpline archives, but cannot find out...what IS IT exactly. I know it is an historic festival commorating the mayor's drinking heroics, but is it a play, a parade, a four-day long party, are there events to buy tickets for? Any help would be appreciated. Also, Pentecost?Whit Sunday is on 12&13/6/2011. We will be along the Rhine/Mosel river valleys then. Should I expect a lot of closures due to the holiday?? Anything to be particularly aware of?? Thanks in advance.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32912 posts
To answer what we saw: As is typical for a folk festival there is a parade. Men and women dress in traditional costume and parade through the town. As part of the parade there are musical bands and lots of riders. The parade is slow. As the riders pass each inn or many hotels they bang drums and blow horns and the landlords come out and pass tankards of beer up to the riders. As the riders get more drunk they get a bit more rowdy, and do unusual things like ride the horses backwards, ride two at a time while standing on their backs, do gymnastics, etc. Since the whole thing is about consuming prodigious quantities of alcohol the paraders (and the audience) do their best to keep up the tradition. No tickets, just be there. Towards the top of town there is an outdoor performance which does require tickets. All in all, a fun day if taken in the right spirit. You won't be on your own, and you will probably see plenty of blue books with yellow writing.
Posted by
Texan in CA
4408 posts
Kaye, be sure to check your Private Messages; at the top right corner of this page, click on "My Profile"...I've invited you to our Sacto Area European Travel meeting...TOMORROW!!! Nigel, I LOVE your description!!! (as usual...) AL, danke for the video; I'd go just for the costumes. This ain't no rinky-dink deal... I'd, ummm, 'play' a wench...;-)