Historical Group "Fünf Schneeballen" (five snowballs') Flehingen-Sickingen e.v.

Flehingen is situated in the Kraichgau, a picturesque landscape between the cities Heidelberg/Mannheim on
one side and Stuttgart on the other. June 1979 was the month when the community of Flehingen looked
back on a 1200 year's history an celebrated its first mentioning in the codex of Lorsch in 779.
In spring 1980 the foundation of the Historical Group "Fünf Schneeballen" Flehingen-Sickingen followed.
The arms of the local nobility were chosen for the name of the group: Five silver balls on a black background.

The group consists of three departments:
- Fanfares and drums
- Amateur theatre group and
- Group with medieval costume.
The three departments operate as a union and performances are given as a complete group whenever possible.

The families of the knights of Flehingen and Sickingen and the nobility of the Kraichgau are the historical
background for the group. The costumes were made according to those of the beginning of the 16th century
up to the time of the Peasant War in 1525. The members of the group represent a wide scale of historical
models from the simple maid to the knight in velvet an silk costume or in full armour.

The historical roots have led to contacts to Landstuhl (near Kaiserslautern) and
Bad Münster-Ebernburg in Palatine as well as, since 1988, to Earl Beissel von Gymnich at Satzvey Castle,
a descendant of the Metternich zu Gracht, the feudal lords of Flehingen.
Other destinations for the group have been places in France, Italy and Portugal.

For many years the group has taken part in the Peter-and-Paul festival in Bretten, a festival famous beyond
the German border. More than 2.500 participants in medieval costume act the time around 1504.
We spend three days at this festival in our lansquenet camp and give performances like medieval dances,
singing of ancient songs, marches with our large flags as well as cooking and camp life.
At the long parade on Sunday afternoon we represent the nobility of the Kraichgau.

Whenever there is enough space we hold a knight's tournament for children with various stages.

Since 1994 we have had friendly contacts to the Compagnia Borgo del Diavolo in Argelato/Bologna, Italy
and since 1998 to the group: Serenisimo Tribunal de l'Inqusithion in Venice.