Right at the start of my time in Hannover, the world’s largest Schützenfest (marksmen’s festival) was held here, lasting a full two weeks. I had some idea of what a Schützenfest might be like, but this!
The Schützenhausweg street sign stands in the bright green of a leafy park.
Photo: © Georg FranzGroßes Volksschießen
One day, I was wandering through the city when I spotted a banner bearing the words: ‘Willkommen auf der Schützenstraße – Großes Volksschießen’ (Welcome to Marksmen’s Street – Grand People’s Shoot).
Green and white decorations welcome visitors to the Volksschützenfest season.
Photo: © Georg FranzI couldn’t resolve the burning question of whether the public would be doing the shooting (but at whom?) or being shot at (here? In cordoned-off areas?). In any case, I made a hasty exit to avoid unexpectedly becoming the target of a well-oiled marksman. (Note: ‘well-oiled’ here also means ‘drunk’.)
The following day, I learnt that it was all perfectly harmless: at most, they would shoot at people who looked like foreigners, but not without asking first. In any case, the city was awash with exuberantly merry marching bands. Here’s a little illustration of what Germans, or at least some of them, understand by law and order in music.
Uniformed musicians play beneath green trees in the city centre.
Photo: © Georg FranzThings are rather brisk here. In the background you can see the Kröpcke-Uhr, the clock on Kröpcke square in the city centre and a popular meeting point because even Austrians unfamiliar with the area can find it.
And of course, no performance would be complete without the matching girls’ guard:
Majorettes in black, red and white parade past a tightly packed crowd.
Photo: © Georg FranzThe rank and file enjoyed themselves while the guard’s drill mistress called out the dance steps:
A musician stands in front of drummers in festive uniforms on a sunny street.
Photo: © Georg FranzFunfair at the Maschsee
The party wasn’t only in full swing in the city centre, but also by the Maschsee, where the actual Schützenfest was held. Right next to it was a funfair, or ‘Kirmes’, as the locals call it here. Almost as lovely and as much fun as the Vienna Prater.
A few impressions of the fun and games at the fair:
Colourful figures and a little train bring funfair atmosphere beneath the trees.
Photo: © Georg FranzSchnappi the crocodile gobbles up the little ones’ pocket money.
A group waits and chats in front of a shop entrance.
Photo: © Georg Franz‘Visit Germany’s onlyest (sic!) three-storey water fun maze’ – that comes from their website.
A tall tower with a bright yellow round gondola rises into the blue sky.
Photo: © Georg FranzOff we go, downwards!
Colourful gingerbread hearts with loving messages hang side by side.
Photo: © Georg FranzAnd of course, no fair would be complete without gingerbread hearts.
The smell of grilled bratwurst draws visitors to the lively snack stall.
Photo: © Georg FranzWell, how about that? Around half a metre of grilled sausage (in a giant baguette)?
Freshly baked Schmalzkuchen tempt visitors to the colourful market stall.
Photo: © Georg FranzOr would you rather have a Schmalzkuchen (deep-fried pastry bites)?
Sweet scents and colourful treats at the Wiener Mandeln stall.
Photo: © Georg FranzBut they also had Viennese almonds!
Revue of Illusions
Colourful illusion show at the funfair with amazed visitors at the entrance.
Photo: © Georg FranzBut that’s enough eating – time for the Revue of Illusions. Here are the sensations on display:
Brightly lit entrance to a nostalgic funfair attraction.
Photo: © Georg FranzThe woman without a head! (I’ll spare you the bad jokes for now…)
A colourful funfair stage captivates young and old spectators.
Photo: © Georg FranzAnd the lady without a lower body! (And I’ll definitely spare you the jokes here!)
And at last, I found the Schützenzelt, the marksmen’s marquee!
Traditional marquee entrance to the Hannover Volksschießen.
Photo: © Georg FranzDid I survive it? Yes, you’ll find out here soon…