D.O.N.A.L.D.

D.O.N.A.L.D. (Deutsche Organisation nichtkommerzieller Anhänger des lauteren Donaldismus) is a German association of fans of the Duck family comics created by American artist Carl Barks. Founded in 1977 in Hamburg by Hans von Storch, the organization has around 1,250 members worldwide, predominantly from German-speaking countries, as of November 2025. It is a non-commercial, non-profit entity that operates as a registered association (Verein) under German law. The organization is dedicated to the study of the Duck family and the Duckburg (Entenhausen) universe in all its aspects. Research focuses primarily on the Donald Duck stories by Carl Barks as translated into German by Erika Fuchs, which Donaldists regard as historical reports. Stories by other artists are largely ignored, creating a self-contained field of study. Over the years, members have researched topics from natural sciences to humanities, and in 2008 a city map of Duckburg based on the stories was presented. D.O.N.A.L.D. publishes a non-commercial magazine called Der Donaldist, which appears irregularly several times a year and primarily features new research findings. Special issues and Donaldist calendars are also published. The organization holds three main annual events: the Kongress (congress), the Mairennen (May race), and the Zwischenzeremonie (intermediate ceremony), typically organized by local regulars' tables. The Academy of Donaldist Sciences awards the annual Professor Püstele Prize for the most convincing scholarly work published in Der Donaldist or its special publications. The organization's anthem is the song of the "sentimental cowboy," believed to be the only song composed by Donald Duck. Instead of applause, participants shout "Klatsch, klatsch, klatsch" into the hall. D.O.N.A.L.D. is part of a wider network of Donaldist organizations, including NAFS(k) in Sweden and DDF(R) in Denmark, as well as the Carl Barks Fan Club in the USA. Honorary members include Carl Barks, Erika Fuchs, Hans von Storch, Don Rosa, and others. Notable Donaldists include FAZ journalists Patrick Bahners and Andreas Platthaus, and forensic entomologist Mark Benecke.

D.O.N.A.L.D. was founded in 1977 in Hamburg by Hans von Storch. The organization emerged from the growing interest in the works of Carl Barks and the German translations by Erika Fuchs, which had gained a cult following in Germany. The name is a backronym for "Deutsche Organisation nichtkommerzieller Anhänger des lauteren Donaldismus" (German Organization of Non-Commercial Adherents of Pure Donaldism). From its early years, the organization established a tradition of treating the Duck comics as a serious subject of academic study, albeit with a humorous and satirical approach. The focus on Barks's stories as translated by Fuchs created a defined canon. The organization began publishing its central organ, Der Donaldist, which remains its primary publication. The Donaldist year was defined as running from April 1 to March 31, a tradition dating back to the early days of the D.O.N.A.L.D. calendar. Over the decades, D.O.N.A.L.D. has grown into a worldwide community with around 1,250 members as of November 2025, mostly from German-speaking countries. It maintains ties with similar organizations in Sweden (NAFS(k)) and Denmark (DDF(R)), as well as the Carl Barks Fan Club in the USA. In 2008, the organization presented a city map of Duckburg based on the stories. The Academy of Donaldist Sciences awards the annual Professor Püstele Prize. The organization continues to hold its three annual events: the congress, the May race, and the intermediate ceremony.

• 2025

  Membership reaches approximately 1,250 worldwide (as of November 2025).

• 2008

  City map of Duckburg presented.

• 1977

  Founded in Hamburg by Hans von Storch.

Non-commercial, scholarly fan organization dedicated to the serious study of Carl Barks's Duck comics.

• Der Donaldist

  Non-commercial magazine published irregularly several times a year, primarily featuring new research findings.

• Special issues

  Irregular special publications on detailed topics or Donaldist calendars.

• Duckburg city map

  A map of Duckburg created based on the stories, presented in 2008.

1. 1D.O.N.A.L.D. - Wikidatawikidata.org
2. 2Deutsche Organisation nichtkommerzieller Anhänger des lauteren Donaldismus - Wikipediade.wikipedia.org