Wadersloher Schützenfest: Memory of courage against the Nazi regime!

Wadersloher Schützenfest: Memory of courage against the Nazi regime!

Wadersloh, Deutschland - This weekend a festive spectacle is celebrated in Wadersloh: the traditional shooting festival. This year the festival has a special grade, since it not only serves to celebrate, but also an intensive examination of the history of the shooting club, which was forced in the 1930s, to dissolve under the pressure of the Nazi regime. On Sunday morning there is a memorial lesson at the memorial at Selhorst (Stromberger Straße/Kopernikusstraße), which is reminiscent of this dark time. Mario Wachsmann, the officer of the jubilee company, gave a moving speech at the celebrations, which began with a humorous approach, but quickly turned into a thoughtful review of the club's history.

In his speech, reference to Wachsmann on the concerns that moved the leadership of the shooting club at the time to consider a self -imposed retreat. 1933, with the seizure of power of the National Socialists, the situation worsened dramatically: Colonel Dr. Robert Leineweber and Mayor Gerhard Mense rejected membership in the Nazi Reichsbund for physical exercises and thus entered open resistance, which ultimately led to the association's self-resolution in 1937. This step was a brave attitude at a time when many clubs of political synchronization were submitted.

club history and memory work

The memory of the Jewish rifle king Louis Gutmann, who ruled in 1925, was also addressed in Wachsmann's speech. His name, which is often hardly mentioned in regional history, should not be forgotten. The appeal for tolerance, diversity and the right of minorities became a central message to ensure that the atrocities do not repeat themselves.

The shooting festival, which takes place from June 14th to 16th, 2025, offers a lot of attractions for all ages. Entertainment is provided, from children's consumption to fixed removals to a dance floor. The royal couple 2024/2025, Olaf Neumann and Diana Brinkmann, is also a very essential part of the event. It should be mentioned that the anniversary company celebrates its 70th anniversary this year.

community and tradition

A novelty this year: The internal structure of the marquee has been optimized and the rifle fair is first transferred via live stream to be accessible to a wider audience. An exciting connection is also visible in the friendship with the Musikverein Obing from Bavaria, which was invited to celebrate a 25-year friendship.

The shooting club Wadersloh currently has 1382 members and has put the task of recruiting the members of everyone. In addition to the celebrations at the shooting festival, the royal cup shooting is also on the program, in which 21 former majesties take part. Bernhard Schniederjohann will be honored as the royal cup winner in 2025. Registration for the cup shooting for the local clubs is necessary until September 6, 2024.

The commemoration and the festivities therefore stand not only for the coexistence in the community, but also for taking responsibility in the culture of remembrance. With the conscious examination of the past and the commemorative commemoration, the Wadersloh shooting club shows a strong sign of the community that is supposed to work over generations. A festival of entertainment also becomes a festival of commemoration and responsibility for the future.