Fishermen's Joust in Ulm

July 21 - Went to the Fishermen's Joust (video link) in Ulm with the students.  One of UTC's former exchange students, Sonja B., showed us her hometown and introduced us to the parade and its related festivities.  

The jousting takes place on the Danube with 16 jousting pairs in historic costumes.  Each represents an historical figure/character from the town or from the town's folklore.  These include the sparrow, the tailor, the farmer, the farmer’s wife, the White Fishermen, a pair of jesters, the King of Baden-Württemberg, the King of Bavaria, and more. 


The protagonists are carried from each of the opposing banks of the Danube by boatmen in barges called Zilles. On this second weekend of the FJ, the King of Baden-Württemberg and the King of Bavaria were the final contestants.  (They'd won the most jousts.)  This was fitting since the Danube separates Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria.  The crowds on both banks were thrilled to cheer for their respective, albeit former, leaders. In the end, the King from Baden-Württemberg won.  This was especially important to Sonja since Ulm is in that state.  


Karen and Ivo came down from Augsburg and stayed with us all afternoon.  Great to see her again!