History

“Crossing Borders Together“ was the motto of the first Kneippiade in Bad Wörishofen in 2001. Initiated by the General Secretary of Kneipp Worldwide, Annette Kersting, the first international “Olympic” games of the Kneipp Movement started on May 24th. Participants from many countries came together for a few days, joining in activities and games all based on Kneipp’s “five elements” and enjoying the pleasant and exhilarating atmosphere. The organizers of this premiere were blessed with bright sunny weather. The participants were so enthusiastic about the diverse and colorful activities based on Kneipp’s five elements that by May 26th all agreed that the games should be held regularly in future.

These events taking place from May 29th to June 1st in Bad Wörishofen also attracted hundreds of participants from many countries, even from Canada. The title of this Kneippiade was “come – see – join in”. Once again the initiators of “Kneipp Worldwide” organized a social and athletic event based on the five elements, skillfully making use of their own previous experience. At the end, many “Kneippionics” enthused: “This was even better than 2001!” New features were a health-show, a rally, a keep-fit dance evening and a jazz-dance workshop, as well as the two opposing figures “Kneippi” and “Schlaffi”, respectively representing healthy and unhealthy lifestyle habits for children and adults alike.

On May 6th and 7th 2005 the games were held once again in Bad Wörishofen: “Water is Health” – this quotation from Sebastian Kneipp was the motto of the (appropriately rather rainy) event. New features on the program this time were workshops for “young” types of sport such as rope skipping, as well as a discussion forum on the topic “Kneipp on the road to the modern way of life”.

“Kneipp with me – I’ll show you how“ was the motto in spring 2007 in Göhren on the Island Rügen in the Baltic Sea. The regional Kneipp-Association of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern had won the contest to stage the Kneippiade and they put special emphasis on attractions for the younger generation. The children’s camp was especially successful and a Health Fair enriched the program. The highlight was an unforgettable fashion-show with historic swimming costumes.

This superbly organized and eventful Kneippiade 2008 in Switzerland achieved a world record: 516 participants simultaneously rolled up their trouser-legs for water walking in the Thuner Lake. The celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Swiss Kneipp Association was a convenient occasion for setting the date one year earlier. The organizing team transformed the town of Thun and its surroundings into one big theme park on the subject of Kneipp.

Hundreds of visitors were fascinated and enthralled by the 6th Kneippiade which took place from June 11th to 14th in Scheffau / Tyrol in Austria. The village of Scheffau at the foot of the “Wild Kaiser” mountain organized an attractive and varied program focusing on Kneipp’s “five elements”. The magnificent surroundings were an invitation to go walking and hiking, and many feet enjoyed the stimulating barefoot-features of the Kneipp Path with its vein-steps, eagle-labyrinth and moor-patch.   
Interesting lectures about natural therapy were also well-attended, and there were various workshops to choose from. The fringe events offered something for everybody: it was altogether an enchanting firework of music. Wonderful cultural events, from folk music to jazz, attracted audiences to the Kneippiade-marquee and onto the dance floor.