Noblemen gathered for a fish meal at the Lindtner Hotel, previous monarchs in attendance
Schützenheimfeld - At the scheduled carp fishing event held at the Privathotel Lindtner, the second floor's Guild Room was filled with the past kings of the Harburg Marksmen's Guild of 1528. They gathered with their wives for dining and celebration. Traditionally, a photograph of the deceased king is hung in the Guild Room beforehand. However, that was not the case this year, as Ulf Schröder was missing.
Among the attendees was Otto Dunkel (82), who had been king of the Harburg Marksmen's Guild back in 1982, nearly 43 years prior. He was the eldest king in attendance at this year's traditional reunion of former royalty.
Following the reception in the Guild Room, graced by the 1st Patron of the Harburg Marksmen's Guild, Ingo Mönke, and Honorary Patron Peter-Jürgen Maack, the company moved to the Garden Salon for dinner. Carp may seem a requirement, but only half of the former kings' plates bore the Cyprinus carpio, the scientific name for carp.
While details relating to the Harburg Marksmen's Guild of 1528 were not immediately available, it can be said that such guilds have a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages in Germany. Initially formed for military training and town defense, they eventually morphed into social clubs hosting shooting contests and festivals. Annual gatherings, known as Schützenfeste, remain significant events in many German towns, often featuring shooting competitions, parades, and the selection of a Schützenkönig (marksman king). This title is typically bestowed in recognition of exceptional shooting skills and is considered an honor within the community.
Other guests joined the festivities, bringing in an array of home-and-garden decorations to complement the Guild Room's traditional set-up. Otto Dunkel, the eldest among the former kings, had transformed his home into an embodiment of other lifestyle trends, merging history and modernity in a unique way.
