Schlaraffia in Philadelphia is no heritage society, sports club, charity club or Masonic order. The Filadelfia (128) is a fellowship of German-speaking men who celebrate art, humor and friendship through a tongue-in-cheek game of knights. It raises no funds, guards no secrets and pursues no business; the evening itself is the whole point.
Among Philadelphia's German clubs
Few American cities have as many German institutions as Philadelphia. The German Society of Pennsylvania, founded in 1764 to help immigrants, is the oldest German organization in the United States. The Cannstatter Volksfest-Verein has been celebrating Swabian festival traditions since 1873, and the Vereinigung Erzgebirge in Warminster was founded by immigrants from the Ore Mountains in 1931. Each of them preserves heritage, runs events or supports a community. The Filadelfia had its castle in the German Society's house for about four decades and now meets on the grounds of the Erzgebirge club, but its purpose is different. It does not preserve customs for their own sake; it plays a game in which German is the language of the jokes.
Ranks, throne and ritual, all with a wink
With its throne, its ceremonies and its ranks, Schlaraffia reminds some people of the Freemasons. Look closer and the likeness disappears. Visitors are present for the entire evening, there are no oaths of silence, and every solemn gesture spoofs the pomp of the Middle Ages. Nor is the Filadelfia a charity organization: it runs no fundraising drives and no community projects. It even differs from a sports club, although there is competition of a kind. Members vie with poems and songs for honors and playful titles, never for trophies or prize money.
Part of a network older than most
Founded in 1895 on the recommendation of its mother chapter Nova Yorkia in New York, the Filadelfia is one of the oldest Schlaraffia chapters in North America. In 1936 it hosted the first All-American Conference of the chapters, and in 2008 the Schlaraffian Council of North America met at the Pennburg. Becoming a member here opens doors in Reyche around the globe, where traveling Schlaraffen are received as friends.
Who will feel at home
The Filadelfia suits men who enjoy the German language, like to listen and can laugh at themselves. Anyone looking mainly for business contacts or political debate should choose another club, as both stay outside the door. The page what binds Schlaraffen together explains the idea in more depth. To find out whether it suits you, arrange a first visit through the contact page.
Come and get to know us
A guest visit is free and without obligation – the best way to sense whether it fits.
