From April 6 to May 17, interested visitors can gain an insight into
the tradition of the shepherd's run in Markgröningen. Its roots go back to the 16th century
. The ingenious mixture of tradition and folk festival with modern elements
fascinates around 100,000 guests every year at the end of August. The Schäferlauf has been a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage site since December 2018
"The preservation of customs is very
close to my heart and I am proud that the tradition of the shepherd's run
in Markgröningen is so vividly preserved in the district of Ludwigsburg," says District Administrator Dietmar Allgaier, who opens the shepherd's run in succession
to the former reeves.
The exhibition enchants visitors with shepherds' costumes for boys and girls as well as products
and information about sheep farming. Two unusual exhibits on display at
are gold-plated shepherd's crowns. These crowns have already been used to crown the winners
and winners of past races on the stubble field as the "Shepherd Queen and
Shepherd King of Markgröningen". The exhibition in the foyer of the
Kreishaus also provides information about the tourist attractions and events in and around Markgröningen.
The Markgröningen Shepherd's Run is one of the biggest attractions in southern Germany and
is known far beyond the state's borders. The highlight of the festival is undoubtedly the
race of the shepherds over a distance of 300 steps - barefoot over
the stubble field. The festival play "Der treue Bartel" always impresses with its professional theatrical performance.
Unfortunately, the shepherd's run - like many other folk festivals - had to be canceled in the last two years
due to the coronavirus pandemic. All the more reason for guests and participants
to look forward to the continuation of this tradition from August 26 to 29.
The exhibition on the Schäferlauf and Markgröningen can be viewed from April 6 to May 17
during the general opening hours of the district administration office.
