Kirwa tradition up close: exhibits for new museum in Amberg wanted!

Kirwa tradition up close: exhibits for new museum in Amberg wanted!

Schloßgraben 3, 92224 Amberg, Deutschland - In the Amberg-Sulzbach district, something is happening in terms of Kirwa! Next Saturday, July 19, the district office in Amberg invites you to a sighting day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., in which all Kirwa enthusiasts and interested parties can present their treasures. We are looking for traditional costumes, jugs, photographs and all kinds of curiosities that are connected to the Kirwa tradition in the Amberg-Sulzbacher Land. As the Mittelbayerische Zeitung Kirwa Museum are issued.

The Kirwan in the region have been listed in the Bavarian state directory of intangible cultural heritage since 2023. The future museum will make the Kirwa tradition experienced both virtually and haptically and thus preserve a piece of lively local history. The sighting takes place in the foyer of the main building of the district office, Schloßgraben 3 in Amberg. Parking spaces are available directly in the courtyard of the office, so that the journey is unproblematic.

invitation to the community

former and active Kirwa people, as well as supporters of tradition, are cordially invited to present their objects and materials. An experienced museum team from the Frankonzburg agency from Würzburg will examine the exhibits for originality and authenticity. Advantageous: After viewing, the objects may be taken home so that the participants continue to have a personal relationship with their treasures.

The Kirwa itself is firmly rooted in club life and makes the villages to life, especially in summer. After a festive service on Sunday morning, the big climax of the Kirwa celebrations begins. The boys pull off with a carriage or tractor to "catch up with" their moila for dancing the Kirwabaum. Accompanied by traditional songs that tell of love, lust and life, the village square becomes the scene of the event. Here is dancing around the symbol of the Kirwa, the Kirwabaum.

traditional hustle and bustle at the Kirwa

The Kirwapaars show up in colorful dirndls and lederhosen, while in some towns the original traditional costume can also be seen. The dance that is collected for brass music is an integral part of the program. The new Oberkirwapaar is determined - an honor that goes hand in hand with certain obligations. Instead of a mere ceremony, the music provides the right framework, while Gstanzln, cheeky rhyme channels, will humorize current events from the village.

Another highlight is the selection of the Kirwabar, which takes place on Kirwamontag. As a rule, this carries a bear costume or simple robe and, armed with coal, sets off through the village. He and his followers smear passers -by with soot. With stop-and-go through the various taverns and generous households, the train through the village not only becomes a wet experience, but also ensures numerous danceable moments.

The planned viewing of Kirwa exponatates is therefore not only a step towards the museum, but also an important signal for the preservation and maintenance of the living culture of this tradition. We cordially invite all interested parties to participate and maybe even preserve part of this unique story!