Children's Procession Debut on the Firth: Kindergartens and Schools Participate
Unleashing Tradition: The Biggest Kids' Procession at a Primary School!
Over 75 pint-sized parade participants from varied grades make this school the largest group taking part in the children's parade. It all began two years ago when the school was inspired by the idea of the children's parade at the Neuss Shooting Festival. The initiative was sparked by the former school caretaker, Sandra Klasen. Now, the torch is being carried forward by "school mom" Christina Walther on Furth.
In 2023, the children, teachers, and parents joined forces to create uniforms inspired by the Neuss-Furth Federal Fanfare Corps. Amandi, the principal, shared that most of them are still with the children, so the shirts and hats needed to be remade, and ten flower horns adorned with paper flowers were created. The question of who will wear the coveted flower horns remains unanswered. "It's great to see the excitement this has stirred up; many parents, teachers, and children are busily involved," Amandi happily anticipates the parade.
The "Treasure Island" kindergarten of Diakonie Rhein-Kreis Neuss, headed by Anja Wurzler, will also participate. A total of 30 children have registered. They are all set to shine in their individually designed festival shirts, crafted through a creative process that fostered camaraderie and community among the participants. Pedagogical specialist Jam Nasro mentioned, "Some parents took on the challenging tasks of cutting, ironing, and sewing the fabric, while others got creative with their kids and added their unique ideas."
But it's not just shooting uniforms that attract attention at the children's parade – kids can also wear traditional costumes. Young Alevitic community members are participating with their unique cultural attire. Herbert Goeres, one of the main organizers, wants to showcase culturally diverse groups and make the festival livelier and more colorful.
Karl Büsing, another member of the organizing team, references the event as a moment that will be etched in the hearts of those participating – a festival of children, tradition, and community on the Furth.
On June 7th, at around 5:15 PM, the children's parade commences. It will pass by the forecourt of the Alevitic community, Kaarster Street, St. Sebastian's Square, and Furtherhof Street before reaching the festival tent. Every child will receive a medal, and each group will be honored with a participation certificate. The three most beautiful groups will receive honorary certificates. Entertainment and a delicious surprise await the children.
The organizers aim to encourage the next generation to embrace the traditions of their corps and societies. Thanks to the overwhelming response, the event promises to be a huge success and hopefully secure a permanent place in Further's calendar.
The Neuss Shooting Festival, a significant traditional event rooted in centuries-old history, holds great cultural importance in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. While specific details about the children's parade at this festival weren't offered in the provided sources, understanding the context and common practices at German Schützenfeste provides a broad overview. These festivals inspire children to actively take part in their local traditions, instilling a sense of community pride and cultural continuity. Schools and kindergartens play a crucial role in preparing children for the parade, with teamwork, creativity, and an appreciation for cultural heritage being the key takeaways of the experience.
In the spirit of fostering cultural continuity, other families are also encouraged to participate in the education-and-self-development aspect of the event by designing their own festival shirts. The selection process for the coveted flower horns, a symbol of tradition, ignites a sense of competition and excitement within the community, making it an essential part of the other lifestyle elements showcased during the children's parade.
