Allgäu, a democratic stronghold, marks its celebration day in 2025, according to Prof. Dr. Heribert Prantl.
Allgaü Day 2025 Celebrates the Legacy of the Twelve Articles of 1525
In the picturesque town of Kempten, Allgaü, the annual Allgaü Day celebrated a significant milestone this year, with a focus on the Twelve Articles of 1525 - a pioneering human rights manifesto and a symbol of local democratic aspirations.
Mayor Thomas Kiechle, also the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Allgaü GmbH, emphasised the relevance of these principles for modern Allgaü during his opening speech. The Twelve Articles, he noted, are not just history but a commitment for today.
Prof. Dr. Heribert Prantl, one of Germany's most prominent political commentators, delivered the keynote address. He described local politics as a form of democratic grassroots politics, where decisions are made immediately and politicians are held directly accountable.
The Twelve Articles, drafted in the butchers' guild in Memmingen during the German Peasants' War (1524-1525), were the program for the first protests, known as the 'Uffrur.' They articulated grievances against feudal oppression and demanded changes in social order and local administration.
The articles called for the right to elect local pastors and control church tithes, the elimination of arbitrary taxation and serfdom, and more equitable land use and justice under law. These demands reflected early democratic ideas and local political engagement, laying groundwork for the recognition of popular sovereignty and community participation in local politics.
The Twelve Articles also led to the first popular parliament, a significant step towards democratic development in Germany and Europe. Prof. Prantl encouraged the approximately 220 attendees of the Allgaü Day to be proud of German democracy and urged them not to leave the concept of homeland to those who misuse it for political purposes.
Good homeland policy, according to Prof. Prantl, includes considerations for housing and support for local politicians. He also highlighted the original sites of 1525 in Allgaü and exhibitions on the Peasants' War as part of the cultural heritage that should be preserved and celebrated.
The improvisational theater "Die Wendejacken" successfully engaged the audience after the speech, providing a lively and interactive conclusion to the day's events. The theme of the Allgaü Day 2025 was the heritage of the Twelve Articles of 1525, offering a unique opportunity to reflect on the region's rich history and its lasting impact on democratic principles.
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