Corpus Christi in Neustadt: brass music and Prosecco delight the citizens!

Corpus Christi in Neustadt: brass music and Prosecco delight the citizens!

In Neustadt an der Waldnaab, Corpus Christi was celebrated very differently this year than usual. After a decades-long tradition was broken last year and the tattoo on the eve of Corpus Christi was canceled, the Kulturfreunde Lobkowitz, under the guidance of District Administrator Andreas Meier, set a new example this year with a variety of stand concerts. These took place on Wednesday evening, June 21, 2025 and were very popular.

The three stand concerts were the highlight of the evening in wonderful weather. The first concert took place at the back of the hospice on Felixberg and offered those present around half an hour of brass music, which drew numerous applause from the surrounding balconies. oberpfalzecho.de reports that the second concert took place at the Freyung at the Näger family's altar, where Fabio Bruner from the Pizzeria Gino spontaneously invited people to a glass of Prosecco. At the crowning conclusion, the city band played in front of the Lobkowitz Castles, where District Administrator Meier and his daughter were present.

A successful evening for everyone

Particularly noteworthy was the appearance of city priest Thomas Kopp, who appeared as a surprise guest and joined the musicians with the trumpet. Bernhard Knauer from the Kulturfreunde Lobkowitz thanked the musicians for their commitment and expressed his wish to revive this successful tradition next year.

“The public was warmly invited to take part in these stand-up concerts,” explained an organizer. The idea of ​​combining the traditional celebration with music and conviviality was very well received and offers a promising perspective for the next few years. AtUnsdahme.de

Historical roots of the festival

The festival of Corpus Christi has a long history, dating back to the 13th century. Originally introduced in Liège in 1246, it was confirmed for the entire Catholic Church in 1264 by Pope Urban IV. It celebrates the Eucharist and the presence of Christ in body and blood. The word “Corpus Christi” is derived from Middle High German and means “divine body”. uibk.ac.at

The celebrations also traditionally include processions, which have increased in celebratory splendor in recent centuries, with floral carpets and artistic representations symbolizing the history of salvation. Today, however, many processions are much more economical and forego the lavish depiction of lively scenes. uibk.ac.at

Overall, with the stand concerts, Neustadt has found a new and contemporary way to honor the time-honored festival and thus strengthen and celebrate the community. It remains to be seen how this tradition will develop in the coming years.