Kohlfahrt - An explanation for Bavarians and others

If you looked at the "About me" section of my website, you would have found that I was born (and also grew up) in Bremen. If you were to look up where Bremen is on a map, you would find it in northwest Germany, fairly close to the coast. Now this is where this page kicks in:
When preparing this page I'm living in Munich (and I've moved to England since). Munich is in Bavaria, meaning southern Germany. Now the Northerners and the Southerners don't always get along well and call each other names: Northerners are frequently called "Fischkopf", meaning as much as "fish-head". Another popular word is "Muschelschubser", meaning as much as "mussle-pusher". They are a friendly lot, those Bavarians...
Now we have a very popular event in north west Germany, which always causes confusion when I mention it to Bavarians (and other "foreigners"). This event is the famous "Kohlfahrt":

"Kohlfahrt" literally translated means "cabbage-tour". Doesn't exactly help you much, does it? So here are some more details:

Kohlfahrten (this is the plural) are only known in north west Germany, roughly as indicated by the red circle in this map. If you live around Oldenburg it is almost impossible not to go on one at some stage. Already not far southwest of Bremen some people have never been on a Kohlfahrt, although probably everyone knows what it is.
Kohlfahrten usually take place during January and February, preferably on a sunny and cold day. But I've also been on a Kohlfahrt where it rained the wholly day. So be prepared if you are ever invited to one...
You can only go on a Kohlfahrt if you are invited to one or if you organise one yourself. Usually you go with a group, be it your company or department, be it the football team you're in or just the people you studied with at university. It's not like the Octoberfest in Munich, where anybody can just turn up, put on Lederhosen and a silly hat and start drinking lots of beer.

The "Bollerwagen" with all you need for a Kohlfahrt

So you've been invited to a Kohlfahrt. What happens on it? Kohlfahrten mostly happen over the weekend, usually on a Saturday afternoon. You meet some time early afternoon, say around 2pm.
The organiser has a "Bollerwagen" (hand-cart) full with everything you need for the next few hours: Some Kohl (the green stuff you see on the picture), something to eat and most importantly lots to drink. "Saurer" and "Plum", both a type of schnapps popular during these events. You have a drink at every (well, may be not every) corner, bridge or other opportunity.
Well prepared you head off for a walk which will last a few hours...

During the afternoon you cover quite a few kilometres and various events take place:
The group on it's way, the next schnapps is waiting at the next corner...	The countryside around Oldenburg
Teebeutelweitwurf (teabag-distance-throwing)	Gluehwein (mulled wine) is served as a refreshment

Usually around 6pm or 7pm you arrive at your destination: A restaurant serving "Kohl und Pinkel". In most cases they serve several groups and have also arranged entertainment. I estimate around 300-400 guests were at this venue: Once everyone has arrived the meal is served: Kohl und Pinkel !!
A soup as a starter	The main course is served: Kohl (Cabbage), Pinkel (a special sausage), Kochwurst (another sausage), Kassler (a meat) and Kartoffeln (potatoes)	A nice arrangement: Kohl und Pinkel with a beer (in this case a Friesisch-herbes Jever)

Some time during the evening something important happens: The Kohlkoenig ("cabbage-king") and the Kohlkoenigin ("cabbage-queen") are crowned. Officially they are the ones who managed to eat most during the evening (unofficially the "royal couple" from the previous year has already decided who it is going to be). They are going to organise the next Kohlfahrt and also open the dance for the evening. After that the dance continues until late into he night (certainly longer than anything at the Octoberfest...)
The author with a can of Gruenkohl (for emergencies in Bavaria...)	Dance	The author enjoying another Jever
Finally, if you are interested in more information (and speak German), why not visit the "official" pages: www.kohlfahrten.de is like a portal site for Kohlfahrten. Information, links to restaurants and Kohlfahrt reports. My page is listed as well... www.kohlfahrt.de is a private page with some further information. (And again this link is reciprocal, you'll find this page listed on it as well)