Harvest crowns shine in the state parliament: tradition and community celebrated!

Harvest crowns shine in the state parliament: tradition and community celebrated!

On September 20, 2025, the 20th Brandenburg Village and Harvest Festival took place in Altranft, in the Märkisch-Oderland district, which attracted numerous visitors to the region. Around 18,000 people celebrated the end of the harvest season together, supported by the organizers of the State of Brandenburg, the Brandenburg State Farmers' Association and the Brandenburg Rural Women's Association. In his speech, the president of the state farmers' association, Henrik Wendorff, pointed out the challenges that farmers faced this year, including drought and rising costs.

The awarding of the harvest crowns, an integral part of this festival, was particularly celebrated this year. The competition is a highlight for the participating groups, who have traditionally presented their artfully tied crowns since the 19th century. The winning crown this year went to the Weseram local group of the Potsdam-Mittelmark district women's association, followed by the Harvest Crown team “Michelsdorf” and the group “We Buchholzer” from the Oder-Spree district. The harvest crown was presented by the President of the State Parliament, Prof. Dr. Ulrike Liedtke was honored as a sign of community and gratitude to food producers.

A special harvest sovereignty

The election of the first male harvest sovereign, Christian Braune, a young farmer from Nuthetal, caused a sensation. Braune farms 50 hectares of land and is also a crop production consultant. Its goal is to improve communication between agriculture and consumers and raise awareness of the challenges facing the industry. As part of the festival, the harvest crown competition was also highlighted as an important element in preserving rural customs.

But it wasn’t just the award that was a highlight. The festival also offered culinary and cultural offerings that underline the historical importance of Altranft for agriculture in the Oderbruch. Not only was the harvest celebrated, but also the 650th anniversary of the town.

Traditional and communal celebration

Thanksgiving has evolved over the centuries. Originally celebrated by farmers in the Middle Ages to show gratitude for the harvest, it has transformed into a significant social event in rural areas. The celebrations are often in churches, inns or village community centers and include traditional parades with decorated floats, music and regional specialties. Particularly nice is the tradition of drinking coffee together, which is held after church services and strengthens the community spirit across generations.

However, social change, urbanization and modern lifestyles also influence the traditions of Thanksgiving. More and more people are turning to regional products and awareness of sustainability is growing, making the festival a valuable opportunity to live this. New event formats and creative activities also play a role in arousing interest, especially among younger generations.

In summary, the harvest festival in Altranft is not only a festival of gratitude and giving, but also a place where history, community and modern customs merge. As State Parliament President Liedtke rightly noted, it remains important to maintain the tradition of the harvest crown and to honor the successes of farmers. Damage and challenges in agriculture must be recognized in order to secure the future in rural areas.

For more information about the event and the Harvest Crowns, read more at Meeting point Potsdam and that Brandenburg State Farmers' Association. The cultural changes at Thanksgiving celebrations are also discussed in an article by Coffee Institute treated.