The Münchner Merkur accompanies the Birker boys from Unterhaching until the big moment on May 1st, when a new maypole is erected.
With the lowering of the maypole on March 18th, the guard hut time begins.
And there will be a lot going on in the boys' hut.
Unterhaching
- After exactly 447 days - that's how long the felled spruce was stored in a forest near Aying - the Birker boys are now taking the new maypole to Unterhaching: On Saturday, March 18th, the tree trunk, which weighs around four tons, will be transported to the guard hut on the Glonnerwiese.
The district office, the Munich traffic police and the railways are involved in the heavy transport that requires a permit – level crossings, intersections and tight curves are the main challenges. If everything goes as planned, the new maypole should arrive in Unterhaching around 12 noon.
The Birker boys first drive the maypole via Tölzerstrasse and Hauptstrasse to the “Kammerloher” inn, i.e. the later installation site.
Then continue along Ottobrunner Straße to the Wachhütte am Oberweg.
For 44 days he is processed and guarded there,
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The Birker boys from Unterhaching with their new maypole - this photo was taken in December 2021 in the forest near Aying, while cutting down the approximately four-tonne spruce.
© Burschenverein
At the beginning of the transport, the May King, currently Korbinian Lindinger (34), traditionally organizes breakfast in the forest.
Before the tour from Aying to Unterhaching, the lads shouldn't lack of appetite, together with the old lads up to 120 grabbing hands are expected.
For the current May King – he is always elected by the boys at a meeting in the previous year of a May tree year – this is the beginning of the term of office in which he has to represent the association and prepare the tree for his special day.
The watch plan at a glance
From this Saturday, March 18th, until May 1st, the Birker boys' guard hut on the Glonnerwiese on the Oberweg will be open every evening from 6 p.m. until 6 a.m. the next morning.
"Everyone is welcome to take part in the old custom of grabbing a drink and starting a conversation," says Tobias Köhler, secretary of the boys' association.
So that the evenings and nights don't get too tough, the Birken boys have come up with all sorts of delicacies for their watch schedule - an overview.
Saturday, March 18th:
The "Königswache" is the traditional opening of the guard time - the May King "with a chosen entourage", according to Tobias Köhler, warms up the Burschenhütte.
Thursday, March 23:
The "blue light watch" is taken over by the Unterhaching volunteer fire brigade;
the firefighters and the boys are closely linked.
Friday, March 24th:
At the "old boys' watch" the married boys (the club currently has 86 old boys) "show us boys how it's done", says Tobias Köhler.
Saturday, March 25th:
The "board watch" keeps the top of the club off - a great date for younger people to see the top of the club in action.
Monday, March 27:
Nostalgia comes up with the “Rüscherlwache” – the Rüscherl is a mixed drink made from cola and Asbach brandy.
Tuesday, March 28th:
There will be a lot of smoking at the "Smoker-Wache" - but this doesn't mean cigarette smoke in the corner of the mouth, but charcoal on the grill.
I this night the maypole guards should have a big appetite for grilled meat.
Thursday, March 30th:
Ending the day relaxed, maybe with a few work colleagues – that's what the “afterwork watch” is all about, with house music playing.
Friday, March 31:
The newcomers among the Birker boys show what they have learned so far at the “Jungburschenwache”.
Saturday, April 1st:
The “Goaßmaß-Wache” is dominated by a mix of dark wheat beer and cola with a dash of cherry liqueur as the main drink.
Tuesday, April 4th:
The "BR-Heimat-Wacht" is rather quiet and traditional, possibly even with live music.
Good Friday, April 7th:
On the holiday it is quiet and smells of fish on a stick.
Saturday, April 8th:
Alaaf, even if Shrove Monday is a while ago - the "Cologne Evening" brings a touch of carnival to Unterhaching.
Sunday, April 9th:
A culinary specialty from Austria dominates the "Kaiserschmarrnwache".
Thursday 13th April:
A tasting assortment will be served at the 'Gin Watch'.
Friday, April 14th:
There is an exchange of guards with the fellow boys' association König Otto from Ottobrunn - the Birker boys look after the maypole in Ottobrunn and vice versa.
Saturday, April 15th:
The “Mallorca Guard” promises a bit of a Ballermann atmosphere so that nobody falls asleep.
Sunday, April 16:
Clubs from near and far come to the "Oldtimer Meeting" to present their historic cars on the Glonner Wiese.
Tuesday, April 18:
Artists will perform on a mobile stage at "Art in the Articulated Truck".
Thursday, April 20th:
More culture with the Birker Burschen, because the mobile stage is still there - at the "Cocktailwache" cabaret in a semitrailer is on the program.
Friday, April 21:
There is a night's rest for the boys at the "Madlwache" when their girls take over the guard hut.
"That's where the bear taps," knows Tobias Köhler.
Saturday, April 22:
Musically and visually, time is turned back three decades at the "90s Watch".
Sunday, April 23:
At this vigil, the "Maypole blessing" is performed by the Catholic pastor Axel Windecker and his Protestant colleague Christiane Ballhorn.
Tuesday, April 25:
The name says it all about music and drinks at the "Mexican Night".
Thursday, April 27th:
Like four weeks earlier (March 30th), there will be an “afterwork watch” again.
Friday, April 28th:
The "old boys' watch" also existed before (see March 24th).
Saturday, April 29th:
Big “guard final spurt” with musical fireworks, celebrated by the “Himmelsschreiber” from Unterhaching, whose junior boss Sebastian Ruppert is an old boy.
Monday, May 1st:
The date it all boils down to with the maypole being erected and danced around the maypole.