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Fete de Fête in Holten: Celebrating the Night Watchmen and Tower Keepers' Legacy
Over the weekend in Holten, the festivities were plentiful! Not only did we commemorate the 40th meeting of the European Night Watchmen and Tower Keepers Guild, but it also marked the 40th anniversary of the Holtener Night Watchmen. Let's dive into the rich history of these professionals!
In medieval times, Night Watchmen and Tower Keepers were components crucial to maintaining a safe, orderly city. Their responsibilities ranged from ensuring peace during the night, monitoring city gates, and even announcing the hours. City patrols, serving as a warning system to awaken citizens from slumber, were amongst their key roles - alerting them to potential threats like fires or intruders.
At the heart of the celebrations in Holten, traditions were on display. The weekend's events kicked off with a guild meeting on Saturday, followed by a festive parade through the town, concluding in the Kastellpark. The program included stage performances, games, and activities for the younger crowd, and plenty of delicious food and drinks to enjoy.
As the sun began to set, the Night Watchmen and Tower Keepers marched in small groups through Holten's beautiful streets, stopping at various stations to share stories, sing songs, and certainly share a few laughs. Meeting so many friendly and open-minded people, immersed in traditions close to their hearts, was my personal highlight! Despite the occasional drizzle, the special atmosphere was hard to dampen.
Participants hailed from various European cities like Gengenbach, Wismar, Tannenberg, Zwönitz, Annaberg-Buchholz, and even Krakow, Poland. I'd like to share an enchanting tale about the Krakow Tower Keeper. During the festivities, he paused his fanfare for a unique and historical reason: centuries ago, the Krakow Tower Keeper used his trumpet to signal the opening and closing of the city gates. On one fateful day in 1241, the watchman sounded the alarm to close the gates against the Tatars. Unfortunately, his signal was cut short due to a Tatar arrow striking him. The Krakow Tower Keeper's stop on the Holtener streets at the exact spot where he was hit was a poignant and memorable moment in the history of our Guild.
Sunday morning was marked by a closing service in the St. Johann Church, graced by the presence of the Tower Keepers and Night Watchmen. The guild banner was then handed over to the next host of the European Night Watchmen and Tower Keepers meeting, scheduled to take place in Bad Bentheim.
If you missed this unforgettable event, fear not - you can catch the Holtener Night Watchmen live again in Advent while they collect funds for the Friedensdorf, an association supporting physically and multiply disabled people, and Lebenshilfe.
This century-old tradition continues to flourish thanks to the tireless efforts of countless organizers, planners, and volunteers. Here's a big shoutout to all those who made this fantastic event possible! If Bad Bentheim isn't too far from your reach, why not join the Night Watchmen and Tower Keepers meeting there next year? After all, they say history repeats itself! 😊
In the heart of Holten, the home-and-garden Kastellpark played host to a lifestyle event that celebrated the Night Watchmen and Tower Keepers' rich tradition. Reminiscent of medieval times, stories and songs were shared by Night Watchmen and Tower Keepers from various European cities, incorporating home-and-garden elements within their lively displays.
