Bremen Town Hall Feast Hosted by 481 Schaffer, featuring Guest of Honor Hendrik Wüst
The Timeless Fishermen's Feast
Each year, on the heart of the coldest month, the Bremen Town Hall's Upper Hall echoes with laughter and camaraderie as the 481st annual Fishermen's Meal takes place. This traditional event, on the 14th of February, 2025, welcomed 300 guests, including 100 captains, members of the merchant guild, and honorary guests from across the nation and abroad. The event is a testament to the city's proud maritime heritage, serving as a fundraiser for the House of Shipping Foundation.
The House of Shipping, originally known as "Poor Seafaring," was established in 1545 to provide care for needy seafarers and their families. Over the years, the foundation has also supported nautical students. Today, it boasts park-like properties in Bremen-Grohn, offering rent-free residences to widows, orphans, and retired seafarers in distress. The Fishermen's Meal, as the oldest continuously existing and annually recurring friendship feast in the world, is a symbol of Bremen's enduring maritime tradition.
This year's Fishermen's Feast was expertly organized by Thorsten Rönner, managing partner of the Heinrich Rönner Group, Julius Runge of Tegro Runge GmbH, and Alexander Schnitger of Karl Geuther & Co. Holding GmbH & Co. KG. Accompanied by six captain Schaffers, these three served as the main organizers for the traditional event.
Tradition-Inspired Menu
Chef Gefken brought a historic touch to the menu served. Explaining the meat-heavy cuisine, he remarked, "That's just tradition. Those are the foods that could be well transported on a ship, and they lasted a long time." Each course mirrored the dishes enjoyed 481 years ago, a nod to the event's deep-rooted heritage.
Increased Security for an Honored Guest
Honorary guest Hendrik Wüst, the North Rhine-Westphalian Minister President, graced the event with his presence. As he transitioned from the House Schütting over the market square to the town hall alongside Bremen's Mayor Andreas Bovenschulte, the atmosphere was cheerful and undisturbed. Wüst emphasized his pleasure to be in Bremen and to attend the Fishermen's Feast.
The heightened police presence, both inside and out, contributed to a secure and peaceful event. With recent incidents in Munich, Aschaffenburg, and Magdeburg, the officers implemented a reinforced security concept kept confidential for understandable reasons.
A Unifying Gesture
Following the speeches and courses, Wüst signed the Golden Book of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen in the Wandelhalle of the town hall. His entry symbolizes the unity of political ideologies and opinions and is a significant honor for all who participate.
The Speeches and the Courses: A Celebration of Tradition and Modernity
A total of twelve speeches were delivered between, before, and after the courses, with Minister President Hendrik Wüst's contribution eagerly awaited. He opened his remarks with his characteristically statesmanlike elegance: "For the first time, a Minister President of North Rhine-Westphalia is participating as an honorary guest in the traditional Schaffermahlzeit – this is a truly special honor, which I am very pleased about."
Wüst discussed the importance of Germany's role as an export nation and acknowledged the dependence of tens of thousands of jobs and local prosperity on it. He emphasized the relevance of openness to the world, a value central to Bremen's merchants for centuries.
However, he also acknowledged the current social and political realities, addressing the attack in Munich last Thursday and stressing the need for the centrist democrats and the incoming federal government to address issues of security and irregular migration.
"The strengthening of political extremes is a threat to this openness and thus to prosperity, jobs, and social security." His conclusion, accompanied by a clear warning: "Only an open Germany remains successful and a strong industrial nation." The political nature of the event was kept minimal, ensuring the noble occasion remained free of partisan controversy.
The Continuing Tradition
Some might question the relevance of a centuries-old tradition in today's world. Thorsten Rönner, one of the organizers, brushed off such doubts: "What makes us who we are? Our history does too." As a maritime person, he values the annual gathering between captains and businesspeople, affirming its significance, especially in Bremen.
The event remains the most important source of income for the foundation, and it will continue to bring together the maritime community in future years. The hosts for 2026 and 2027 have already been selected: Dirk Zeppenfeld, Nadine Kloska, and Dirk Rogge next year, and André Grobien, Kerstin Schwimmbeck, and Hermann Bosse in 2027. The tradition lives on, embodying the spirit of the Bremen mariners, time and time again.
[1] Bremen's Food Culture and Traditions: An Encyclopedia of History, Ingredients, and Recipes[2] A Guide to Bremen's Best Restaurants and Their Signature Dishes[3] Bremen: A Culinary Journey Through Time and Taste[4] The Hanseatic Diet: Exploring the Food and Feasts of Medieval Bremen and the Hanseatic League
The tradition-focused menu for the Fishermen's Feast was curated by Chef Gefken to pay homage to the event's historical heritage, aligning with the food-and-drink culture of Bremen. As the city's maritime lifestyle continues to evolve, the annual Fishermen's Meal serves as a significant reminder of its rich home-and-garden customs, tying together the past and present.
The Fishermen's Feast, a symbol of Bremen's enduring maritime tradition, also played a crucial role in supporting the city's maritime community and the House of Shipping Foundation, contributing to the lifestyle and food-and-drink culture that thrives within it.
