Martinsmarkt in Dernau: Feuerzauber and old traditions illuminate the night

Martinsmarkt in Dernau: Feuerzauber and old traditions illuminate the night

The Dernau Martinsmarkt, which was launched in 2000, celebrates a proud 25th anniversary this year! Visitors can look forward to a spectacular event that comes up with a torchlight procession through the alleys and five majestic fires on the mountains this year. The chairwoman of the traffic association, Ingrid Näkel-Surges, emphasizes that the tradition of fire and moves existed long before the market.

The history of the Martins fire is deeply rooted in the region. Folklore Matthias Zender remembers the rivalry among the young people who culminated in a competition for the greatest fire. "It was war between the groups!" He describes the passionate preparations that often ended in open fights. In Dernau, where there are officially no districts, it is the five "rotten" that are responsible for the inflamed of the Martins fire.

Smokes and traditions

The fire in the 19th century were originally inflamed as "smoked brigades" to protect the vineyards from frost. Saint Martin provided the reason for this tradition, but it was the threat of the ice saints that the winemakers caused to burn sooting materials in order to save the delicate shoots of their vines. In the 1950s, smoking in the Ahr became popular again, and District Administrator Albert Heising was committed to ensuring that smokers were founded in all wine varieties.

But today the practice of smoking is controversial. David Fuhrmann, Mayor of Dernau, emphasizes: "We only burn pure wood!" Preparations for the festival start weeks in advance, with the construction of an imposing "buck" made of wood, which can be up to twelve meters high. The community spirit remains, and the Dernauer are proud to keep this tradition alive for citizens.

The Martinsmarkt initially came across skepticism because members of the Rotten preferred to earn money in the market instead of building fire. But today the old and new traditions complement each other harmoniously: "It is now accepted," Fuhrmann concludes. A feast for everyone who makes the hearts of Dernau beat faster!