Flax market Linn

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Flax market 2013

One of the best-known flax markets is the flax market around Burg Linn , one of the largest historical craft markets in Germany. It takes place every year on the Whitsun weekend in Krefeld - Linn around Linn Castle and the historic center of Linn . More than 300 craftsmen and artisans present themselves, their profession and their work. Above all, many almost extinct professions are shown, including, for example, clay builders, Mollenbauer, armourers, scissors grinders, blue printers, soap makers, wig makers, cylinder makers and many others.

Medieval jousting is also the focus. Traditional groups show medieval life and knightly tournaments . On the large meadow in front of the castle, the knights compete in ring- stitching, helmet- striking, Roland riding , lance- piercing and the hunt .

Artists and music groups appear on various stages, jugglers , minstrels and storytellers march across the meadows in traditional costumes.

history

Flax market aerial view

Historically, the tradition of the flax market goes back to the time of Linn's elevation around 1315. Even then, the flax grown in the area and products made from it, such as linen , were sold on the Linner Marktplatz, the Andreasmarkt, or exchanged for household goods or cattle. This “flax market” soon developed into one of the most important markets in the region. The Linner markets were known and very popular with flat traders and farmers as far as the Kempen / Erkelenz area. Traders and shopkeepers even came from Moers to Linn on market days and, in addition to flax and linen, also offered iron, wood, leather and wicker goods, stones, pottery, textiles (including used ones), horse harness, grain and later also meat and bread on. More precisely, there were up to four markets a year in Linn:

  1. Linner Halbfastenmarkt (annually shortly before Easter )
  2. August market (annually in August)
  3. Andreasmarkt to Lynn (every 7 years on November 30, the Andrew's Day )
  4. New Linner Markt (from 1809)

There was no regular weekly market in Linn. The August market is likely to have been the first flax market of the year, as the flax was already harvested and brought in in July and August. The Andreasmarkt was a flax and junk market in honor of St. Andreas and is mentioned for the first time in 1695 in the Linner city bills. Initially, it only took place every 7 years. The tradition of the actual flax market goes back to this Andreasmarkt. The Andreasmarkt developed into a real fair with stalls and other typical attractions. However, flax and linen were traded in every other market in Linn. From 1809 a flax market took place up to four times a year in Linn.

With the exception of Andreasmarkt, all market days in Linn were set to weekdays by the Prussian government in Düsseldorf in the mid-19th century. The other markets increasingly became local events and lost their national character. When flax cultivation declined more and more in the region around Linn due to the import of inexpensive cotton , the flax market also increasingly lost importance. The last original flax market took place in 1903 and was forgotten.

Modern times

In 1974 the flax market was revived as a craft market in its current form by a few citizens of Linner. Among them the still active organizer and initiator of the flax market Helmer Raitz von Frentz and the co-initiator and Linner chimney sweep Hartmut Hauser. The first flax market of the modern age was initially held like the historical model on St. Andrea's Day on November 30th. But the following year the date was moved to the weekend of Pentecost, which was very popular with visitors, not least because of the more pleasant season. Since then, the flax market has been held every year on the weekend of Pentecost.

The second flax market of the modern era initially took place like its historical model on the Andreasmarkt and the immediately adjacent streets. There was already a stage with short performances and with Theo Stevens, a local resident and actor from Linner who slipped into the role of Elector "Theo I. von Linn". The depiction of the Elector is an allusion to Elector Clemens August of Bavaria , who was Archbishop of Cologne at the time and ruler of the Electoral Cologne town of Linn and its castle. It has manifested itself into a tradition. Today the Elector opens the flax market in the Linner Vorburg every year with a welcome. Then he attaches his seal to show the legitimacy of the market. Then the guiding sword is publicly exhibited to warn all visitors and market participants that justice is spoken in this market and, if necessary, enforced with the sword. The latter is based on the medieval history of Linn as a venue for court days, initially by a Drosten , later by the mayor .

The space requirement grew quickly. The sixth flax market of the modern era in 1978 no longer only included the Andreasmarkt, but was expanded to include Albert-Steeger-Strasse, the outer bailey, the museum meadow, the castle meadow, the Lindenberg and the castle itself. Much could only be accomplished with the great help of numerous volunteers and sponsors. Linner companies made their know-how, machines and vehicles available. The battalion of the river pioneers of the Bundeswehr stationed in the port of Linner at this time contributed a full medical department.

On September 27, 1978 the “Arbeitsgemeinschaft Flachsmarkt eV” was launched, which takes care of the organization and handling of the flax market. A total of 19 clubs serve the flax market every year. Up to 750 helpers are needed to guarantee a smooth process.

The poster with the woman spinning flax at the spinning wheel was designed by the Krefeld graphic artist Helga Lorenzen. The flax spinner has become the trademark of the flax market.

In 1993, Helmer Raitz von Frentz and his wife Marianne were awarded the Federal Cross of Merit for their services to the flax market.

patronage

Every year the flax market is under the patronage of a personality from culture, business and politics.

The previous patrons were:

Leopold Wahlefeld badge

Every year, as part of the flax market's opening program, the Flachsmarkt working group awards the Leopold-Wahlefeld plaque to personalities, institutions or groups who have distinguished themselves through an extraordinary service to promote the community in the areas of traditional customs, social affairs and youth work.

quality

All participating craftsmen have to demonstrate something for the manufacture of their products at their booth. There are no pure sales stands. Over the years a real rendezvous of what today seem exotic craft trades has formed. Many exhibitors are even the last masters in their field. Until a few years ago there was still a trap builder who made mousetraps completely himself and who traveled from the Eifel. Today craftsmen come from the nearby Netherlands, but also from far away from Poland and the Czech Republic.

safety

In 2003, the flax market had to be canceled for the only time so far: a severe storm was approaching, which prompted the organizers to vacate the site to be on the safe side. 13,000 visitors were able to leave the flax market quietly and in an orderly manner within 20 minutes without any problems, which was taken as evidence of a functioning emergency management. The next day the weather was again at its best and the market was able to continue in bright sunshine.

Because security regulations have been tightened again since 2010, only a certain number of people are allowed into the castle at the same time. Every year a temporary bridge made of pontoons is built over the pond, which is reserved solely for the rescue workers in order to be able to shorten it in an emergency.

Picture gallery

  • Flax market aerial view

  • View into the castle to the flax market

  • Musicians flax market

  • calligraphy

  • Blacksmith flax market

  • Shoes

  • Flax market around Linn Castle

  • Paper scooping

  • Children's actions

  • Wash like a hundred years ago

  • Children's actions

  • Coin cutter

literature

  • Johanna Klümpen-Hegmanns: Linn - castle and town from the Middle Ages to the present . ISBN 3-7948-0210-1

Web links

Commons : Flachsmarkt  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Interview with Helmer Raitz von Frentz in March 2012, by Thomas Kurpjuweit exclusively for Wikipedia.