Dirk Mülders successor sought
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After 1084 days, the Helens are celebrating the Schützenfest once more
The 2019 king Dirk Mülders with Queen Michaela Hemmers and the entourage.
Photo: Helge Boehle / Photo & Art
Xanten A forced break of more than 1000 days will soon end for Xantens Helenen: in 2020 and 2021 their shooting festival had to be cancelled, but this year they are allowed to celebrate once more. An overview of what is planned.
The Helens had to wait 1084 days for this: The St. Helena Schützenbrotherhood Xanten is celebrating a rifle festival once more. It will be heralded on Friday, August 26, with Helen’s Day and the festival in honor of the patroness, Saint Helena.
It really starts a week later, on Friday, September 2nd, with a tattoo: following the service, the brotherhood will go to the market square with a torchlight procession at around 9 p.m. There, in honor of the departing king Dirk Mülders, the tattoo will be played by the state marching band blue and white and the Vynen music association. After more than 1000 days of reign, this will also be the last official appearance of the royal couple with their entourage.
A day later it gets exciting: On Saturday, September 3rd, the new regent is to be determined. The bird shooting with the crossbow starts at 3 p.m., this year once more at the historic Schützenhaus on the Fürstenberg. “We hope that following a two-year break, many will follow the call when it says: aspirants to the king step forward!”, said the board. Because of the corona pandemic, the St. Helena Brotherhood was unable to celebrate a shooting festival in 2020 and 2021, just like other brotherhoods and shooting clubs.
The next morning it continues: On Sunday, September 4th, the state marching band blue and white wakes up the new king or queen. In the followingnoon, the children’s shooting festival follows on the Fürstenberg: a successor is being sought for the children’s queen, Amadea Kropmann. All children between the ages of eight and 14 can take part in the crossbow shooting competition; only a parent or legal guardian must sign a declaration of consent on site. The shot at the royal dignity, on the other hand, is reserved for the children and grandchildren of the club members. “But there is more to the supporting program,” says Brother Master Markus Bonn. For children there is a play street, bouncy castle and raffle. A raffle will also be organized for the adults.
A week later it continues: On Saturday, September 10, the brotherhood will appear on the market square and honor the new majesties with a parade at 6 p.m. Then the Helens celebrate in the Schützenhaus, the coronation ball. Guests are welcome, as on every day, emphasizes the board: “Come by and celebrate with us!” The Helens hope to receive funding from the “Restart Together” program of the NRW Ministry of Home Affairs.
