Petitional associations in Schwäbisch Gmünd: Tradition blooms again!

Petitional associations in Schwäbisch Gmünd: Tradition blooms again!

Schwäbisch Gmünd, Deutschland - in Schwäbisch Gmünd blooms a tradition that not only combines history, but also community and joy. The petitional tradition, which has been cultivated in the city since 1863, received the award as an intangible cultural heritage of UNESCO in 2018. The importance of this tradition is illustrated by the remarkable developments and events that give the club life a breath of fresh air.

"Clubs in the upswing", says Gerhard Bucher, the chairman of the AGV roof association, describes the current situation. The number of members among the younger peers' associations show recurring growth. An example of this was the recent 40s festival, in which 18 participants took part. Small, but Oho, you could say! Bucher exports with stable memberships over the coming years, even if the large years of the 1950s and 1960s should never be fully achieved.

year festivals and moves

A highlight in club life are the large moves for borns 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80, the successive Saturdays are committed. And here it gets traditional: men hatch in frack and cylinder while the women are wrapped in festive robes. The move itself leads through the medieval streets of Schwäbisch Gmünd and ends with the singing of "Grüß di Gott, Alois" at the Johannisturm on the market square - a moment that remains unforgettable for everyone involved.

Speaking of festivity: The AGV 1987 is planning a 40th festival in two years, while the 1935 vintage is planning its celebration on Kornhausplatz on July 19. Participants are flexibly designed and smaller clubs are less under pressure in terms of costs. The members of the different years pay annual fees of different heights - from approx. 50 euros for the 1950s to 90 euros for younger groups.

The future in view

Despite the smaller celebrations in the current year, the hope for high number of participants remains. For example, the AGV 1945 recorded almost 60 members, while the AGV 1965 came up with almost 50 members. The decision is all the more regrettable to suspend the AGV summer festival, which has been a tradition since 2014. However, you can already see in the direction of 2026 to reveal the summer festival.

A development that should not go unmentioned is the increasing interest in the umbrella organization associations. While the petitional associations in the districts become less common, the attraction of the higher -level associations grows. This proves, for example, a high number of participants in founding meetings, which often attract over 30 interested parties.

cooperatives as a cultural heritage

The importance of community and social cohesion is also recognized at the national level. The idea and practice of the cooperative was included in the representative list of intangible cultural heritage, which ensures Germany a first contribution to this important heritage. Claudia Bogedan, President of the Conference of Ministers of Education, emphasizes the role of cooperatives to promote social cohesion. Prof. Dr. Christoph Wulf, Vice President of the German UNESCO Commission, emphasizes the cultural relevance of cooperatives in Germany.

in Schwäbisch Gmünd it turns out that tradition not only preserves but also lived. The peers are a lively part of the community - and not only regionally, but also in the context of a Germany -wide cultural heritage.