133. Burger Youth Carnival
On Saturday afternoon, young men in black suits and young ladies in the Burger festive costume from all parts of the village arrived at the Burger Festplatz. After a short warm-up in the heated tent and the “official” pairing, the obligatory group photo was taken, this time in front of the fire department museum. Hundreds of visitors captured this and the subsequent parade on their smartphones, always trying to get the best position, which occasionally led to elbows being pulled out here and there. One group of visitors from Nepal even had their photo taken with girls in traditional costume for a status greeting back home.
Slightly chilled from the long wait on the photo stand, the procession, consisting of 40 couples and three pairs of children, made its way through the village, accompanied by the Lutzketal musicians. Several dance interludes warmed up the group before they continued on to the Burger Rehabilitation Center. The band and the almost 100 young people danced through the rooms at the best coffee time, much to the amazement and surprise of the spa guests. “I’ve never seen anything like it!” exclaimed Henri Simon from Eisenhüttenstadt. “It’s wonderful that such a tradition is maintained in Burg, and by so many young people!” he added, who actually only wanted to visit his father, who was taking a cure there. Many other spa guests and their visitors probably felt the same way and donated generously.
Julia Klinke from “Burger Jugend”, the organizing club: “We usually run the same route. After the rehab, we walk along the main street to the church and on towards the harbor and the Kleinod. In the evening, there’s dancing in the marquee.”
Maik Knick and his partner took part in the parade rather quietly and thoughtfully. Laura Schmidt is also his partner in real life, she comes from Werben and works as a Sorbian teacher in Krieschow. Maik Knick: “I joined the Burger Jugend when I was 15, took part in the parade 15 times, and my membership of the association ends with this 15th participation. I’m now 30 and, according to our rules, too old for the youth!” He has to smile a little, because for him this does not mean the end of his participation in Burger traditions. Introduced by his father, the trained hydraulic engineer will of course continue to stand for these values and be there when he is needed.
Peter Becker, 18.01.26
