Lomography

Schützenfest
written by graefin on May 9th, 2008 (1 vote)

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The Hanoverian Schützenfest is the biggest event in summer. Although all small cities, townships and villages around Hanover have their own Schützenfeste, not one of them can be compared with the event in Hanover. They all have one in common: the shooting clubs of the towns have shooting matches to determine their champion shooters (Schützenkönig/königin, Bürgerkönig, Jugendkönig). In a huge procession these champions are then celebrated.

In Hanover things are the same but the Schützenfest there is the biggest in the world! The procession marches through the city and has usually around 12 000 participants with colourful costumes, wagons and marching bands. They have to walk around 12 kilometres until they finally reach the Schützenplatz. This area is comparable with the Oktoberfestwiesn in Munich. It is smaller though but the fun rides and the beer tents are the same.

I personally like to go to the Schützenfest because of all the lights. It’s a wonderful place to take (long exposed) pictures. But besides that this kind of festivity is nothing for me because the main reason why young people go there is to drink. In Hanover there is even a special drink you can order. The so-called “Lüttje Lage”. This is an alcoholic drink consisting of a small glass of dark beer and another one of grain schnapps. Both glasses have to be taken in one hand so that the schnapps flows into the beer while drinking. I can tell you: It’s fun to watch (because only a few people manage to drink both glasses without spilling the schnapps).
In 2007 the Schützenfest is from 29 June until 8 July. To get more information you should check wikipedia and www.schuetzenfest-hannover.de or www.hannover.de/schuetzenfest/index.html