On Saturday, November 23rd, the Nobele Orde van de Papegay, an order of merit for European historical and armed guilds, held its traditional Investiture as a guest of the Sankt Sebastianus Schützenbrüderschaft in Köln-Stammheim, Germany.
Around 300 guests attended the event in the beautifully decorated hall of the guild, while an additional 50 guests followed the ceremony via live video streaming in an adjacent room.
A Morning Full of Traditions
In the morning, participants had the opportunity to visit the impressive shooting range, where the shooting trees and heavy muskets drew much attention. At 11 a.m., the Schützenverein Valbert opened the festivities with an honorary salute of three volleys, followed by a colorful procession through the streets of Stammheim. Accompanied by the music corps of the Allgemeiner Schützen Tambourkorps Köln-Stammheim, the Musikcorps Köln-Flittard, and the St. Catharina Son Guild, the parade was a vibrant display of tradition and culture.
Upon their return, attendees were treated to coffee and pastries before a flag parade commenced, showcasing the banners of all participating associations. The flags of Stammheim and the Nobele Orde warmly greeted the assembly.
A Solemn Moment
Pastor Dieter Moors led the official inauguration of the Nobele Orde’s new flag, designed by Hannes Dendooven from the Saint George Guild in Bruges. After a serene blessing, the flag’s sponsors, Princess de Merode-D’Oultremont and Honorary Dame Katelijne Debedts, formally handed it over to Vice President Jan Wannet and Standard-Bearer Dieter Schucht. The ceremony concluded with a musical performance of Ich bete an die Macht der Liebe.
A Prestigious Investiture
During the Investiture, Charles-Louis Prince de Merode, former president of the EGS, and his wife, Princess Clotilde D’Oultremont, were awarded the Grand Cordon and the title of Honorary Dame, respectively, in recognition of their lifelong dedication to tradition.
Distinguished guests included notable officials and representatives of shooting guilds, such as Mr. Ralph Elster, Mayor of Cologne, Dr. Rolf Albach, District Association Chairman, and Emil Vogt, Federal Shooting Master.
A total of 125 individuals from 12 different countries and numerous guilds, associations, and fraternities were admitted to the order as members or laureates for their exceptional contributions to tradition, governance, or sportive achievements. Among them, Mr. Ron Peters from the Helmond Guild (Netherlands) was appointed as the new Assessor for the North Brabant region.
Recognitions and Celebrations
A highlight of the event was the unexpected awarding of the Gold Medal of the Rheinischer Schützenbund to Master of Ceremonies and Secretary Luc Borgions, Treasurer Monique Van Put, and Chancellor Bart De Baere, in recognition of their outstanding contributions.
Peter-Olaf Hoffmann, Secretary General of the EGS, announced a special journey to Rome during the Holy Week from May 27 to June 1, 2025, where both the Nobele Orde and the Order of Saint Sebastianus in Europe will hold a unique Investiture.
The event ended with a colorful and humorous performance by the KKG Nippeser Bürgerwehr, followed by an energetic show by the Minis of the GMKG, whose agility and enthusiasm delighted the audience.
Upcoming Dates
- March 1, 2025 – Closure candidates Rome
- March 8; 2025 Chapter fort he Rome Candidats
- May 3, 2025 – General assembly
- May 30, 2025 Special Investiture in Rome, Holy Year
- September 13, 2025 Chapter candidates Helmond
- November 22, 2025 – 49th Investiture in Helmond (Netherlands)
- November 21, 2026 – 50th Investiture in Antwerp (Belgium), celebrating the Order’s 50th anniversary
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Horrido! Onwards to new shared traditions.