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CIOFF® Germany convenes in Heppenheim – Klaus Hohmeier from Schlitz elected new Chairman

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Heppenheim, September 13, 2025 – From September 12 to 14, 2025, the General Assembly of CIOFF® Germany took place in Heppenheim, Bergstraße. The meeting was marked by a spirit of renewal while honoring long-standing traditions.

Farewell and Honors

After many years of dedicated service, Norbert Müller (Heppenheim) stepped down from his position as Chairman of CIOFF® Germany. In a solemn ceremony, he was honored for his outstanding contributions to the promotion and organization of international folklore festivals in Germany. Müller was unanimously elected Honorary Chairman of CIOFF® Germany. In addition, Ioan Cocian, CIOFF® Sector Representative, presented him with the certificate of Honorary Membership of CIOFF® International. This prestigious distinction was also awarded to Susanne Kramer(Luxembourg).

Another highlight was the recognition of Jörg Lübbe, who received the CIOFF® Silver Award for his decades of commitment to the international folklore movement.

The Elters Traditional Costume Band provided a festive surprise by accompanying the farewell with a musical program.

New Executive Board

The elections marked the beginning of a new chapter for CIOFF® Germany:

  • Klaus Hohmeier (Schlitz) was elected as the new Chairman – a symbolic moment, as the office returns to the founding town of CIOFF® Germany exactly 50 years after its establishment.
  • Peter Reinhard (Elters) became Vice Chairman.
  • Dirk Hellbach (Neustadt/Holstein) was elected Treasurer.
  • Barbara Hellbach (Neustadt/Holstein) will serve as Board Member for Festival Cooperation.
  • André Eikermann (Schwalenberg) will be responsible for communication, website, and social media.
  • Marco Kowar (Bautzen) was re-elected in absentia as Board Member and will coordinate international cooperation.
  • Julian (Erlangen) was co-opted as the future representative of CIOFF® Youth.

Reflection and Exchange

In addition to the elections, the member groups reported on their participation in international festivals. They also addressed the challenges of organizing such events – particularly the growing demands regarding safety and security. The discussions highlighted the strong bonds between the groups and their shared determination to find sustainable solutions.

Many companions and long-time colleagues attended the assembly and the farewell ceremony, including Wolfgang and Sabine Otterbein, Ulla Schäfer, Anke Schlosser (TVK Schlitz), as well as representatives from folklore groups in Scheeßel, Neustadt/Holstein, Bautzen, Lausitz, Rudolstadt, Wehrheim, Heppenheim, Schwalenberg, Erlangen, Erfurt, Burg Ludwigstein, Elters, Luxembourg, and Romania.

Outlook

Delegates departed on Sunday. It has already been decided that the General Assembly 2026 will take place in Rudolstadt.

With a newly elected board, renewed momentum, and the recognition of long-standing contributors, CIOFF® Germany looks ahead with optimism – committed to strengthening cooperation among festivals and preserving intangible cultural heritage for future generations.

Summer of Festivals

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Many of our members’ festivals are taking place again this year. Here is a brief overview:

26.05 – 01.06.2025INTERNATIONALE JUGENDFESTWOCHE AUF DER WEWELSBURG
26.06 – 30.06.2025INTERNATIONALES FOLKLOREFESTIVAL LAUSITZ
03.07 – 06.07.2025HEIMATFIEBER – WEIN* FOLKLORE* GENUSS
03.07 – 06.07.2025RUDOLSTADT-FESTIVAL
09.07 – 14.07.2025INTERNATIONALES HAHNENTANZFEST
09.07 – 16.07.2025INTERNATIONALES SCHLITZERLÄNDER TRACHTENFEST
11.07 – 14.07.2025EUROPÄISCHES FOLKLORE-FESTIVAL BITBURG
16.07 – 20.07.2025INTERNATIONALES BEEKE-FESTIVAL
22.07 – 27.07.2025GRAND PRIX DER FOLKLORE FÜR JUGENDLICHE
25.07 – 02.08.2025EUROPÄISCHES FOLKLORE FESTIVAL
02.08 – 10.08.2025EUROPÄISCHE JUGENDWOCHE BURG LUDWIGSTEIN
17.10 – 20.10.2025INTERNATIONALE BRÄUNLINGER KILBIG

More information will follow.

Bernd Schäfer is an honorary member of CIOFF® International

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Oktober 2014
The CIOFF® General Assembly granted on proposal of the president of CIOFF® Germany, Mr. Norbert Müller, Mr. Bernd Schäfer the Honorary Membership at the CIOFF® World Congress 2014 in Bautzen / Germany for all his services and merits for CIOFF® International.

Bernd Schäfer is already Honorary President of CIOFF® Germany and Honorary Member of the CIOFF® Central European Sector.

Esa Vilhonen from Finland (host of the World Federation), Bernd Schäfer, Udomsak Sakmunwong from Thailand (former President) President Philippe Beaussant from France, Norbert Müller (Vice-President of the World Association and Chairman CIOFF® Germany), Klaus Hohmeier (2. Chairman CIOFF® Germany)

He started his career in CIOFF® international in 1975 when he attended his first World congress in Szeged in Hungary. 1977 he initiated the founding of CIOFF® Germany and in 1978 the National Section was founded in Schlitz. In 1976 he organized in a few weeks the meeting of the Executive board in Schlitz as CIOFF® Russia canceled the meeting shortly. In 1984 he organized the CIOFF® World Congress in Schlitz as again CIOFF® Russia had to cancel the congress in Moscow. 

1989 the Festivals Commission was founded in Povaška Bystrica in Czechoslovakia in which he was member for 20 years. From this year until 2005 he was the Coordinator of the Festivals Calendar. Under his responsibility the calendar developed from a very small folder to a book with a lot of information about CIOFF® and then CIOFF® festivals. 

In his 20 years membership he always was open for all tasks in the commission and he never said no when he was asked for any commissions work.

For this service CIOFF® International granted him the Golden Pin at the CIOFF® World Congress 2006 in Pretoria in South Africa. 

2007 he helped to organize the CIOFF® Youth Forum in Laggenbeck / Germany

Activities in CIOFF®

On National Level

1977 – 2008        President CIOFF® Germany 
1991 – 2002        President Internationales Schlitzerländer Heimat- und Trachtenfest

On International Level

1975 – 2005        National Delegate
1989 – 2009        Member CIOFF® Festivals Commission
1989 – 2005        Coordinator of the Festivals Calendar