As of: February 8, 2024, 7:30 p.m
By: Michaele Heske, Alexandra Anderka
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Expelling winter: The burning of the Lenzn doll at Marienplatz marks the official end of Hemadlenzn.
© Hermann Weingartner
Dorfen - 3000 Hemadlenzn peacefully celebrate their “highlight of the year” on Nonsense Thursday in Dorfen and intone: “In the city of the Hemadlenzn, humor and fun should shine.”
Even early in the morning, when the streets in Dorfen are still empty, it becomes clear that today is a special day.
The calm before the storm: no cars in the city center, hardly any people.
They are all still sitting at home or in the pub with family and friends in front of their steaming white sausages and their first beer.
This is exactly how a real Hemadlenz starts his national holiday on Nonsense Thursday.
This is confirmed by Hofgalerie landlady Inge Herl from Jaibing, who is in good spirits celebrating with her husband Girg Stöger.
He has hung a light bulb around himself and is solemn: He wants to “carry the light through the day” on this special day, which he was part of as a little boy.
Light figures: Girg Stöger and Inge Herl have been part of the Hemadlenzn parade since they were children.
© Michaele Heske
Almost 3,000 people will populate the city center as of 9:30 a.m., 1,000 fewer than last year, says Daniel Steinweber (34), press spokesman for the KG.
The reason: “2024 was the first move to Corona, people wanted to get out again and experience something.
In addition, the weather forecast was rather bad last night, so many from out of town were thinking about whether they wanted to go to Dorfen." And so this year the parade remains more of a meeting point for the locals: mostly Dorfen residents, but also a lot of fools from St. Wolfgang or Lengdorf.
It is a tradition for the people of St. Wolfgang to meet at the village innkeeper from 7 a.m. for a white sausage breakfast, then march to Dorfen and stop at the monastery.
There they sing a foolish serenade to their sisters and shake a leg with them for a moment.
Around 35 were on the road this year.
At around 10 a.m. the Hemadlenzen dressed in white form in front of the E3 cellar for the procession.
This is led by the Dorfen town band.
With a big hello, they march singing through the Wesner Tor to the town square, where they turn towards the Lower Gate.
This year there is a special Hemadlenz: Andrea Ridolfi, teacher from Rome.
He is currently visiting his colleagues at the Dorfen high school through the Erasmus program.
This prompted religion and Latin teacher Andreas Kerscher, who has lived in Dorfen for over 30 years, to take part in the parade for the first time.
“I wouldn't have thought of that a year ago,” he admits with a laugh, but after all he couldn't withhold this “extraordinary local flair” from his guests.
And he clearly enjoyed the scenery.
His conclusion: “I find it incredible how this event strengthens the feeling of community – from young to old.” He received a lot of praise from the students for his befitting attire.
When they arrive at the lower gate, the foolish ones wake up the prince couple Agnes I (Osterloher) and Christian II (Salzeder) with a loud “Get up!”, who are waiting in the tower room and then climb down the ladder to the people with cheers.
The Dorfen town band then intones the town's carnival anthem for the dancing fools: “Oh, heaven on earth!” We continue back to the town hall, where Mayor Heinz Grundner is picked up.
This is the 16th time he has climbed out of the window of the Friedberg House, which is part of the town hall.
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The Hemadlezn cheer on the community leader.
Adriana (41) and Martin Stitteneder (40), both natives of Dorfen, love the tradition.
The 41-year-old says: “At Hemadlenz, many who no longer live in Dorfen come home.
We meet old acquaintances, we have fun and we can chat.” The couple doesn’t go to other carnival events: “The parade at Nonsense is unique!”
Family meeting (from left): Ingrid and Peter Sanftl with daughter Ramona Fuidl and granddaughters Vanessa and Laura.
© Michaele Heske
The Sanftl family also thinks so.
“We are all looking forward to this day.
For a native of Dorfen, this is a must,” says Ingrid Sanftl.
When asked what makes Hemadlenz special, she explains: “The exuberance that reigns on this day – it’s nice when you can just fool around.”
Bachelorette party: Jessica Bauer (front M.) from Buchbach was surprised by her friends.
They kidnapped her to the Hemadlenz in Dorfen to celebrate there.
© Michaele Heske
The girls around the bride Jessica Bauer from Buchbach, who is getting married on April 6th, are also exuberant.
Her friends surprised her on the way to work in the morning and kidnapped her to Hemadlenz.
“She actually hates carnival,” reveals sister-in-law Christine Hartmetz, “but she’s doing quite well,” she says happily.
The Marienstift also goes on an excursion.
Seven seniors came to the city center by city bus, positioned themselves in front of the Marienpassage and are enjoying the afternoon, looked after by Annemarie Lechner, Sabine Pichlmeier and Sigrid Ropertz from social care.
Among them is 98-year-old Mathilde Mayer from the former Farben Mayer store.
She likes the Hemadlenz, but adds with a wink: “If you live in the middle of the market for decades, you have no choice.”
The seniors from Marienstift went on a carnival trip (front, from left): Herbert Waxenberger (85), Anna Kiel (85), Wilhelm Scheinbacher (87), Gertraud Emerlin (81), Kurt Wolf, Mathilde Maier (98), Anna Genseder (88 ) with the ladies from social services (in the back).
© Michaele Heske
“Schorsch Bauer is the oldest Hemadlez who goes along with the parade,” reveals Mayor Grundner.
The Dorfen veteran is 89 years old.
With a few exceptions, he has been participating since he was 17.
However, a lot has changed since then.
“Back then there were only men,” he remembers.
In the past, all school classes also took part.
Bauer always carries a motto suitcase with him.
This year he is demanding: “No debt brake for Hemadlezn.” For him, this day is still the highlight of the year.
Eugen Hammerschmid (65) sees it differently; he hasn't been involved for years.
“The parade has now mutated into a major event, with masses of people walking through the city, the shops are closed.” He still remembers “how the bakeries threw pretzels out of the shop door, the butchers handed out Viennese – that still had flair.” And after the parade, people went to the Streibl Hall or the Bastei to continue celebrating together until late into the night: “It was always a successful exit.”
The open youth meeting at Kugelfang is also relatively new.
Peter Fischl is cooking spaghetti there for the second time.
“They are legendary and taste incredibly good,” says the social worker.
The young people are also offered bottled non-alcoholic drinks, such as water, cola and Fanta.
“We don’t serve drinks,” he explains, otherwise some people might add vodka to their drinks.
There is also a small pavilion set up at the Lower Market, an alcohol-free zone run by community youth worker Sigrid Wiedenhofer, who also offers free alcohol-free drinks and flyers.
“Today it’s not about prevention, it’s about creating a little oasis for young people when they move.” Young people’s alcohol consumption is now under control.
“We used to drink much more excessively,” explains Fischl.
The police also have good news to report: “Everything went wonderfully, no significant incidents,” confirmed Harald Kratzel, head of the Dorfen inspection, after the official end.
This represents the burning of the Lenzn doll to drive out winter.
However, the Hemadlenzn will continue to celebrate for a long time - in front of the Bar Amore and at the bar stalls as well as in the E3 cellar.