Fully booked for four days: Aschheimer Schäffler dance out of line
Created: 05/16/2022Updated: 05/16/2022 09:38
By: Nico Bauer
Are ready: The Schäffler from 2019 still master their dance steps.
A larger rehearsal is enough to master the upcoming performances.
© Nico Bauer
Aschheim – The history of the Schäffler is also the history of human crises.
The barrel makers once danced to give people hope in these difficult times.
And that's exactly what the Aschheimer Schäffler will do with around 15 performances over four days.
The Schäfflerzunft Aschheim last danced in 2019.
And after the historically specified seven-year cycle, the next generation will continue in 2026.
That hasn't changed, even though this year the Schäffler refreshed dance steps and figures for a short interlude due to current events.
"We're all well trained," says Schäffler board member Günter Sassmann, "this time a larger rehearsal is enough.
We are ready again.”
14 dancers are preparing
The interplay between the dancing coopers and the accompanying brass band on the forecourt of the cultural building was also unusual because of the time of year.
"We've probably never practiced in shorts," jokes Sassmann.
Schäfflerwochen usually start on January 6th and rehearsals take place in the depths of winter.
The Munich Schäffler recently danced with a four-day campaign period.
Sassmann makes it clear that the big neighbor was not copied, but only postponed the small dance season: "Actually, we had already planned our Schäfflertanz for autumn 2020 before the start of the Delta variant, but the pandemic did not allow that." That's why I have the deployment is postponed.
"This is a very special moment for us," said Sassmann at the first dance rehearsal, "because we want to set an example after two years of the pandemic and also for peace in Europe."
The Schäffler first aunted in the Middle Ages after the plague was over, when no one dared to go out on the streets of Munich.
At that time, the barrel makers lured people out of their houses with their dances to encourage people and get public life going again.
14 dancers from the Schäffler year 2019 will be there again, and dancers from the previous Schäffler generation from 2012 will also help out.
The additional interlude is also special for the young men, because you are only allowed to be with the coopers once in your life.
Four days fully booked
On Thursday, May 26th (Father's Day), the Aschheimer Schäffler begin their performances.
On this day and on Sunday, May 29th, they are out and about in Aschheim and Dornach.
The tour of the district will follow on Friday and Saturday, March 3rd and 4th.
June.
Günter Sassmann emphasizes that the four days are already fully booked and there will be no extensions.
This year, the Schäfflerzunft just wants to set an example and not contest any season outside of the rotation.
The next Schäffler year will follow in 2026. Until then, the Schäffler will be looking for young men in Aschheim, whom they will offer the knighthood of journeyman Schäffler in order to pass on the age-old tradition.
