Hutelfeuer: winter displacement with flames and tradition in the Main-Kinzig district!

Hutelfeuer: winter displacement with flames and tradition in the Main-Kinzig district!

At the weekend, numerous lifting fire take place in the region, a tradition that sells winter and welcomes spring. According to Osthessen-News , they will celebrate on Saturday and on Sunday in many places in the Main-Kinzig-Kreis, Hersfeld-Rotenburg, Vogelsberg and the Rhön. The Hutzelfeuer are part of the regional customs and mark the first Sunday in Lent.

The custom has its roots in the border area of ​​Bavaria, Hesse and Thuringia and has established itself since the 19th century. As described Brauchwiki , the lifting fire is closely linked to the volunteer work of so -called "Hutzel Jungen", young people who collect the necessary fuel. This wood collection begins in November when you collect old fir trees in the forest and after Christmas.

appointment and places of the customs fire

On Saturday, 8th and Sunday, March 9, 2025, numerous Hutzelfeuer are planned in the Main-Kinzig-Kreis. Here is an overview of the dates and places:

• Saturday:
  • 6:00 p.m.: Sinntal-Oberzell, Neuhof (reservist place), Rommerz (Stürichweg), Dorfborn (extension Alte Heerstraße)
  • Flieden-Buchenrod, Kalbach-Auttrichshausen (sports field)
  • Edelzell (below the Florenberg), Fulda-Sintergiesel (behind the cemetery)
  • Flieden-Döngesmühle (5:00 p.m.), Flieden-Stork (Grillplatz)
  • Flieden-Struth (Kullmann's Christmas tree culture), Flieden floating (3:30 p.m.)
  • More locations: Kalbach-Oberkalbach, Fulda-Lüdermünd,…
• Sunday:
  • 5:00 p.m.: Flieden (old street towards the Schützenhaus sawmill)
  • 6:00 p.m.: Künzell-airless (below the Karolinenhof), Fulda (Antonius-Park)
  • Hünfeld-Rothenkirchen, Fulda-Sickels (sports field), Eiterfeld (Sachsenweg in the industrial area)
  • More locations: Petersberg, Bimbach, ...

In the Hersfeld-Rotenburg district, the fire begins at 5:30 p.m. in Mechbach (municipality of Ludwigsau, sports field) and at 6:00 p.m. in Schenklengsfeld-Wippershain. There are also fixed times in Vogelsberg and the Rhön, whereby Sunday often offers somewhat calmer celebrations.

tradition and symbolism

The Hutzelfeuer symbolizes the expulsion of winter and is often organized by club members. In the Rhön, where tradition is particularly rooted, a "Hutzel-Hex" made of wood is also placed in the heap before the hole is ignited. This symbolizes winter and is symbolically driven out when inflammation of the fire. As wikipedia , the Hutzelfeuer is considered a regional heritage and is not only a celebration, but also part of the identity of the population in the Fulda.

The diversity of the Hutzelfeuer not only sees itself as a custom, but as a community experience that awakens good nostalgia and rewardes the commitment of the young people. Every year the number of participants grows, which gives the custom more lively and attracts more and more people who gather in the fire to work and welcoming spring.