Halloren revive medieval salt festival in Halle with flags, treasure and a ritual dance-off

A living link to the Middle Ages

When the Halloren march onto the festival ground in front of the saline in Halle in their red and blue ceremonial dress, a piece of city history comes alive. The 'Sonnen' festival, held every two years on even-numbered years, is one of the brotherhood's most important celebrations. Its roots stretch back to the Middle Ages, when weapons and flags were publicly presented and symbolically 'placed in the sun'. Today the focus is on remembering the history of the salt workers whose labour built Halle's prosperity over centuries.

“The Halloren will remain an important part of the tradition and identity of the Saale city of Halle in the future. Despite some challenges, we are preserving a cultural heritage that has been passed down over many generations.”

The ritual of 'Friedewirken'

The public part of the festival follows a precisely defined sequence handed down through generations. The Halloren, accompanied by music and flag delegations, move to the festival ground in front of the saline. There the so-called 'Friedewirken' begins: the city's mayor is welcomed with beer and cake and symbolically decrees peace among the brothers. The custom recalls the once-close bond between the salt workers and the city of Halle.

The 'Zappeltanz' duel

A highlight for many visitors is the traditional flag-swinging, with historical flags presented according to fixed movement patterns. This is followed by the 'Zappeltanz' of the Platzknechte, one of the festival's most unusual elements. Two dancers face off, moving around the brotherhood flag with rapid jumps, abrupt changes of direction and deceptive movements, each trying to throw the other off balance and to the ground. The winner traditionally receives a kiss from a 'Halloren bride'.

A silver treasure centuries in the making

The festival also includes the presentation of the Halloren's historical silver treasure. The collection comprises 96 silver drinking vessels and goblets, a silver jug, two silver belt chains and several chains of office belonging to the brotherhood. Many pieces date from several centuries and are considered significant examples of artisanal silversmithing. The first known silver cup was given to the Halloren by citizens of the city in 1671 as thanks for their help in fighting a fire.

Deep roots in Europe's salt history

The oldest document of the 'Salzwirker-Brüderschaft im Thale zu Halle' dates from 1409. But salt was being produced in Halle much earlier: in 2013 archaeologists discovered a salt-boiling site around 3,100 years old, evidence of one of the oldest salt production sites in Central Europe. The brotherhood sees itself as the guardian of a unique cultural heritage and a bridge between Halle's centuries-old salt history and the present.

“Our task is to keep the history of salt alive and bring it closer to people. We preserve a unique cultural heritage and make the history of salt tangible for people.”