Subject: Primary Donauschwaben festival.
Title: Kirchweih Fest
Author: Elisabeth B. Walter
Year: 2011
Media Type: Book
Lending Status: Borrow
How Acquired: ZVA purchase for SGS
Review/Description: You may recognize Elisabeth Walter as the author of Barefoot in the Rubble, the story of her childhood at the end of World War II. In this book she recalls the customs surrounding the largest festival on the Donauschwaben calendar. Kirchweih celebrated the anniversary of the consecration of the village church as well as the completion of the annual harvest. Elisabeth describes the festival in her home town of Karlsdorf, as well as its re-creation in her new home of Chicago, illustrating both with her own excellent artwork. It is a short read and amply illustrated, offering an excellent way to connect with the culture of our ancestors’ homeland.