Dramatic double strike from the player, symbolizing his role as both prince and ruler
In the heart of Benrath, tradition and camaraderie took centre stage as the St. Cecilia's Shooting Brotherhood held their annual election of the majesty. This year, the honour went to Lars Berber, who demonstrated exceptional marksmanship in a competition that saw members vying for the prestigious title.
The election process is steeped in history, with members competing in a shooting contest using a ceremonial wooden target, often referred to as the "shooting bird." The critical moment comes when one participant successfully hits a crucial part of the target, symbolically "bringing down the bird." This year, Lars Berber achieved this feat, securing his place as the new majesty of the brotherhood for the upcoming year.
Accompanying Lars as his Queen will be Janine Berber, the wife of the newly crowned King, Peter Berber. Peter, a retired individual, will serve as the King from the coronation ball on Tuesday evening. Lars' girlfriend, Anna Bolz, will be the Princess.
Unfortunately, the parade scheduled to take place in front of Benrath Castle was cancelled due to an approaching rain front. However, the shooters and guests adapted swiftly, gathering in a fest hall instead. Despite the change in plans, the highlight of the improvised afternoon was the election of the new majesties.
The festivities began a weekend earlier with the Moesch being carried through Benrath, marking the start of the festival program for 2025. Saturday evening saw a prince's ball show after the grand tattoo before the St. Cecilia parish church and a memorial service. Sunday was dedicated to the festive high mass, and the Benrath shooters will round off their program with the Klompen ball on Monday and the coronation ball on Tuesday.
Pastor Thomas Jablonka is leaving Benrath as part of a reorganization of the Catholic parish and moving to Neuss. However, he will remain a member of the St. Cecilia Brotherhood, ensuring the continuity of the brotherhood's spiritual guidance.
For those interested in reliving the moments of the festival, images are available from the gallery. To order, simply send an email with the image numbers to media@our website.
The St. Cecilia's Shooting Brotherhood Düsseldorf Benrath continues to uphold its rich tradition, with the election of new majesties marking a significant milestone in the brotherhood's annual calendar. The new leadership, led by Lars Berber, is set to guide the brotherhood through the coming year, participating in official events and celebrations within the brotherhood and community.
In the heart of the improvised afternoon festivities, a lively discussion about the upcoming events on social media unfolded, with members sharing photos, videos, and updates about the new leadership.
As the new majesties settled into their roles, Lars Berber turned his attention to planning the entertainment for the upcoming Klompen ball, hoping to create a weather-proof event that everyone would remember.
