Uetersener Schützenfest: Celebration in the shadow of sudden death

Uetersener Schützenfest: Celebration in the shadow of sudden death

Next week, Uetersen will be the venue for an important shooting festival from June 20th to 22nd, 2025. The Uetersen Riflemen's Guild from 1545 invites all members and citizens to celebrate, but this year the festival is overshadowed by deep sadness. The unexpected death of Sabine Thomsen, wife of the reigning Emperor Peter Thomsen, hit the community and preparations were adjusted accordingly. SHZ reports that members of the Rifle Guild and many citizens are mourning with the family.

In view of this loss, it was decided to cancel the traditional parade and the accompanying brass band. The children's festival planned for Sunday, June 22nd is also canceled. These changes are aimed at taking into account the difficult times and paying due respect to the late Sabine Thomsen.

Course of the festival

The kick-off of the shooting festival begins on Friday, June 20th at 6 p.m. with the club shooting on the Gildeplatz on the Große Twiete. All interested members are invited to take part in the competition together. You can register simply by sending an email to Danilo Huste.
On Saturday, June 21st, the proclamation ceremony will take place in the Haselauer Landhaus, with entry starting at 6 p.m. The proclamation begins around 7 p.m. Unfortunately, Peter Thomsen will not be taking part in this celebration for understandable reasons.
A new highlight is a morning pint on Sunday from 10 a.m. on Gildeplatz, where bockwurst and bottled beer are offered. Table reservations can be made by email and tickets cost 10 euros, payable on site.

Tradition and memory

The honorable tradition of remembering the dead also has a special place at shooting festivals. These customs have their origins in the early shooting brotherhoods of the Middle Ages, which not only ensured the protection of the city, but also ensured the spiritual well-being of their members. Digital shooting world emphasizes that commemoration of the dead is a fixed item on the program at shooting festivals and that a wreath is often laid at the local memorial after the service.

Neuss, for example, celebrates this tradition by having the shooters hold a ceremony at the beginning of the festival to honor the deceased. Such customs not only promote community spirit, but are also a valuable culture of remembrance that found a new beginning even after the horrors of the two world wars. The statutes of the shooting clubs contain clear instructions on caring for the dead, which are also upheld in Uetersen.

We hope that, despite the sad circumstances, many Uetersen residents will take part in the festival and honor both the tradition and the memory of Sabine Thomsen together. All information can also be found in the transcript at mourning.shz.de.