Dönerstag began in 2007 when German cachers met at kebab shops around the country all at the same time. The tradition caught on!
These special events are held each year on a Thursday. In German, this makes the name “Dönerstag” a pun: The German word for Thursday is “Donnerstag.” Kebab translates to “Döner.”
Döner kebabs, made traditionally of roasted meat cooked on a vertical spit, gained popularity in Germany in the 1980s. However, you don’t have to be in Germany to enjoy Döner kebab!
Kebab goes by many names, such as shawarma, donair, or gyros, and vary from region to region.
Last year, over 6000 players attended 233 Dönerstag events. The events were held all over Europe, from Germany and Austria to the United Kingdom and Switzerland.