schuhplattler news – june 1988
The United German Hungarian Schuhplattler Group is proud to report that our club has been approved for membership by the Gauverband Nordamerika, Inc.
The Gauverband is an organization founded for the purpose for promoting Bavarian and Tirolean folk dancing, costumes, customs and culture; and establishing mutual fellowship. The Gauverband was formed in 1965 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Gaufests have been held throughout North America since then. The friendships that were gained at these fests, the color of the different styles of various trachts, the music, the variety of Schuhplattler dances and their different styles are immeasurable as well as breathtaking.
There is also a serious part of a Gaufest and that is the Schuhplattler Dance competition. This is a very important part of a Gaufest because it has strengthened and improved the performance of many groups. The desire to win a prize has always been an inducement to improve one’s performance. This prize, is called the “Wander Prize” (donated by the Bavarian Government) and no one club will ever own this trophy. It has been the desire of most member clubs to win and display this trophy in their Verein for the allotted time.
Another serious part of the Gauverband is that it has a legislative function. They have biennial meetings whereby the business portion of the Gauverband operates. These meetings are held in different cities to accommodate the delegates. These meetings are very fruitful because all the guidelines for the Gaufests were derived from these spirited sessions.
Ten members of our Schuhplattler Group attended a delegates meeting in Pittsburgh at the end of April where we were interviewed and voted into the Gauverband organization. It was a weekend of day-long meetings and lots of beer but it was worth it when we were approved.
The United German Hungarian Schuhplattler Group will be able to compete at the 1989 Gaufest held in McAffee, New Jersey (Action Park)!
WE’RE PROUD TO BE A PART OF THE GAU…NOW IT’S PLATTLER TIME!!
By Susan J. Galgon
EDITOR’S NOTE: this piece was written and originally published in Monthly Progress, Volume 42, No. 6 – June 1988. It has been re-published here in 2026 with minor edits.
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