The blood ride in Upper Swabian Weingarten was first mentioned in 1529.

On the Friday after Ascension Day, the largest equestrian procession in Europe begins with a mass in the Weingarten Basilica.

Ruediger Soldt

Political correspondent in Baden-Württemberg.

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Then 2000 "blood riders" ride through the fields and districts, distributing the blessing of the Holy Blood to the house, farm and fields.

The Roman soldier Longinus is said to have caught a few drops of Jesus' blood on the cross, which are contained in a clod of earth from the relic.

So far, no adult women have taken part in the "men's pilgrimage", only girls and altar boys.

Now it has also been opened to women.

Ms. Rürup, you are the mayor of Baindt, a municipality near Weingarten, and you are one of the women who were allowed to ride for the first time.

How did that happen?

The blood ride should become an intangible UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The application probably also failed because it was an all-male procession.

This step was long overdue.

In Weingarten, Ravensburg and many surrounding communities there are blood rider communities that had to change their statutes.

Acolytes, young people, girls were always there, with the change in the statutes, women are now also allowed in many communities.

One should not overestimate the step, women were always part of the blood ride in a certain way, without them it was not possible, because someone had to take care of the house, farm and animals.

That was always important to the blood riders, they always showed that, but the women weren't the main focus.

Since when has the participation of women been discussed?

It started in 2019. The past two years have seen little bloodshed because of the pandemic, so this discussion is only now showing its impact.

Did you have to do some convincing?

Not really.

I asked the head of our blood rider group, then a resolution had to be brought about at the general meeting.

A total of 98 groups take part in the procession, most wanting to admit women or already have.

Of course it has a signal effect when I take part as mayor.

The step was overdue, the blood ride is a centuries-old tradition.

However, traditions can only be cultivated if they are contemporary.

How did the blood ride on Friday morning go for you?

We started near Baindt at 4.45 a.m., then we went to the monastery courtyard, we were in Weingarten around 6.45 a.m.

We had to wait until all the rider groups had assembled.

There were 35 riders in my group, two of them women and of course a few children, altar boys and young people.

At the basilica in Weingarten, the relic was then handed over to the blood rider, who is riding in the middle of the procession.

Always wanted to take part in the blood ride?

Yes.

I come from Neresheim, so from the Ostalb.

I have been the mayor of Baindt since 2019.

For me it has nothing to do with feminism.

I find it regrettable when this blood ride is always reduced to women and men.

It's about what you want to express with participation, namely to give space to faith in society.

The Christian faith gives me confidence and strength, I show gratitude and humility because my loved ones and my family are doing well.

You wouldn't even ask a mayor why he's taking part in the blood ride.

How exhausting is it actually to take part in the procession?

You sit in the saddle for a long time, at least three hours, it's exhausting.

Of course, it's easier when you're trained.

That's why I've been taking riding lessons since Christmas.

You can only participate if you have a suitable horse.

The horses have to endure the stress, the music, the confinement.

It is not for nothing that the horses are also the gold of Upper Swabia.

And Blood Friday is rightly the highest public holiday in Upper Swabia.