Traditional city festival with a colorful program
On November 8, Rehna will be celebrating again: From 2 p.m., everything will once again revolve around the Lübeck Martensmann, who will spend the night in Rehna on his journey from Lübeck to Schwerin. The age-old custom, which links the two towns and has its origins in the Middle Ages, continues to exist. Back then, the good relations between the Hanseatic city and the ducal house of Mecklenburg were cultivated by delivering a barrel of wine every November. This tradition remained alive into the 19th century and was only discontinued in 1819. However, the Martensmann with his carriage and the gifts he distributed, which were eagerly awaited by the children, remained in the memory of the people of this region and was rediscovered and revived after 1991 and has been celebrated in Schönberg, Rehna and Schwerin ever since.
From 2 p.m., there will be a varied program in the monastery courtyard and in the German House. The District Administrator of Northwest Mecklenburg, representatives of Rehna's partner municipality Holm and the Mayor of Schönberg are also expected to welcome the Martensmann. The afternoon program will include performances by the Rehna Low German Association, the Rehna Trombone Choir, the Wedendorf Vaulting Club and children from the youth welfare center. The entertainment program includes a small funfair behind the monastery and music until late in the evening. The Martensmannfest 2025 is sponsored by the district of Nordwestmecklenburg.
The Martensmann has been part of UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage since 2020: since 1520, documents have documented the delivery of a barrel of wine from Lübeck to Schwerin by the Martensmann. The custom is a symbol of a vibrant civil society. The resumption of the tradition after the political change in 1991 and the interest of the population in the reunified region show the importance of the Martensmann as a historical and contemporary figure of identification. The transnational custom has been connecting communities and associations from Schleswig-Holstein and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern since 1991.
Further information on the history of this traditional event in Rehna can be found on the website of the town of Rehna:
https://www.stadtrehna.de/tourismus/martensmannfest.html
With the kind support of the district of Nordwestmecklenburg.
