Loud double drum beat of the player's strategic shift - he embodies a principled and regal figure
In the picturesque town of Benrath, the St. Cecilia Shooting Brotherhood recently hosted its annual festival, marking a significant change in leadership and upholding a unique tradition that blends camaraderie, competition, and culture.
The festivities kicked off on Friday evening with a barrel tapping, followed by a weekend earlier start for the 2025 program with the Moesch procession. Amidst the joyous atmosphere, the highlight of the afternoon was the election of the new Majesties, the heads or honored leaders of the brotherhood.
This tradition, deeply rooted in the brotherhood’s history, requires candidates to solve a ceremonial mathematical problem as part of the election process. The mathematical task, designed to test logic, calculation, or problem-solving abilities, symbolizes the precision, skill, and wisdom valued by the marksmen’s guild.
This year, the solution of the mathematical challenge was presented in a public setting during the festivities. Among the successful candidates were Jonas Sturm, who passed the chain of office to his sister Carolin, and Pauline Brennecke, who will be the new school princess. Anna Bolz and Lars Berber, son of the retiring Father Peter Berber, were also elected as the new princess and regimental prince, respectively.
Due to heavy rain on Sunday, July 6th, the annual parade was cancelled. Instead, the shooters and guests gathered in the shooting hall, where the music groups that would have accompanied the parade played to keep the spirits high. The grand tattoo before St. Cecilia's Church and a remembrance of the dead took place as scheduled.
The coronation ball on Tuesday evening will see the official crowning of Lars Berber as Prince and Father Peter Berber as the new king. Pastor Thomas Jablonka, a former spiritual leader of the St. Cecilia Brotherhood, exchanged his cassock for a smart shooter's uniform during the festival. Despite his move, he will remain a member of the St. Cecilia Brotherhood.
The festival program concluded with the Benrath shooters rounding off their program with the Klompenball on Monday and the coronation ball on Tuesday. President Jörg Sturm welcomed numerous guests from friendly associations in neighboring districts, making the event a memorable celebration of tradition and unity.
During the ever-exciting festivities, a spirited game of basketball was added to the events schedule, bringing an energetic twist to the celebrations. The annual sports day, organized by the energetic Sports Committee, was held on Monday, showcasing a variety of activities including archery, equestrian events, and even a friendly football match between the shooters and the guests.
