SchŠferlauf

SchŠferlauf

August 24 or the following weekend

St. Bartholomew's Day is celebrated in Markgröningen and other towns in the Swabia district of Germany with a barefoot race among shepherds and shepherdesses of the Black Forest. The first known race in Markgröningen was in 1445. Today in Markgröningen, an international music festival is held the weekend before the race. Children of active shepherds still race barefoot, and the winning shepherd and shepherdess are given a sheep or a large mutton roast. After the race there are other pastoral activities, such as a shepherds' dance and a water-carriers' race in which contestants must balance a pail of water on their heads and pour it into a tub at the finish line.

CONTACTS:
City of Markgroningen
Stadt Markgroningen, Marktplatz 1
Markgroningen, 71706 Germany
49-7145-130; fax: 49-7145-131-31
www.markgroeningen.de

SOURCES:
BkHolWrld-1986, Aug 24
FestWestEur-1958, p. 69