Traditional St. Michael’s Funfair („Kärwa“)

Fürth | Germany

Strategic advice for an initiative in context of the German National Inventory of Intangible Heritage

Project Duration: 2017-2018

The traditional St. Michael’s Funfair in the south-eastern-German city of Fürth is an essential aspect of Franconian culture and has continuously existed since the 12^th century. Every year, up to 1.5 million visitors as well as representatives of 90 cultural associations from all over Franconia come together to continue a broad variety of traditions such as the Harvest Festival Procession. Both activities for entertainment and activities based on the religious provenance of the fair have been passed down from generation to generation and continue to be celebrated. Nowadays, the traditional Franconian elements have been replenished with contributions of citizens of a migrant heritage and “Kärwa” has become a festivity jointly celebrated regardless of confessional or cultural belonging. The fair is one of the biggest and oldest in Germany.

IHM provided support in the application process for the Bavarian pre-selection and subsequently continued its advice concerning the application for inscription on the German National Inventory of Intangible Heritage.

The initiative was successful and resulted in inscription in 2018.