Rutenfest
Rutenfest (also historically spelled Ruthenfest or Ruethenfest) are festivities that are thought to have their origin in the annual cutting of rods for school corporal punishment in medieval Germany.
Historical origins
It was a tradition in many villages and town schools to have a special outing once a year (in Spring or early Summer), called Rutengang or Virgatumgehen, at which the pupils cut and collected a large supply of rods (Rute means rod in German). These rods would be carried back to the school to be used for school corporal punishment during the coming up school year. The rods were cut from willow, hazelnut and/or birch trees.
Interestingly, this rod-cutting event was a cheerful day: it was combined with a picnic, games were played and there was song and dance. In the 17th and 18th century the festivities expanded; the whole town would be up to welcome the pupils on their return home with cheers and further celebrations. This tradition developed into town festivals that still bear the name "Rutenfest" to the present day. The oldest mention of these rod-cutting school excursions is from 1615 but its origins could reach back as early as the 14th century.
The rod is also a symbol for the discipline of grammar, i.e. the mastery of Latin. In some regions, grammar school alumni would be handed a rod in the graduation ceremony.
Today
Today, school corporal punishment is but a distant memory in Germany, and the origins of the Rutenfests are nearly forgotten. Today's Rutenfests are big-city festivals involving adults and children parading, dancing and acting in traditional costumes, carrying leafy branches, wreaths, and other items.
Examples of Rutenfests that are still celebrated in South Germany:
- Rutenfest Ravensburg (annually before the summer school holidays, lasts 5 days)
- Ruethenfest in Landsberg am Lech (every four years, lasts 9 days)
- Rutenfest in Bopfingen (annually in June)
See also
Links
- Logo of Rutenfest Ravensburg
- Ruethenfest official website
- rutenfest.de official website
- rutenfest.info inofficial website
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