The Oktoberfest is canceled, the corona crisis is penetrating more and more into everyday life. Florian Thomä, showman at the Oktoberfest, has a grim forecast - until well after the Oktoberfest.
- The end is sealed: Due to the Corona crisis *, the Oktoberfest 2020 in Munich was canceled.
- Many people suffer from the consequences of the corona crisis
- A terrible time is now beginning for showmen - combined with painful experiences.
Munich - It was a decision that was expected. That the Mayor of Munich Dieter Reiter and Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder officially canceled the Oktoberfest on Tuesday (April 21) - more of a formality. Nevertheless, pronouncing the Oktoberfest KO has hit many to the core. Like showman Florian Thomä from Munich, for whom the consequences of the crisis are dramatic.
Munich: Oktoberfest canceled - showmen fear for their existence
"It is hard to hear that it is sealed that the end is sealed ," says the 30-year-old from Munich. Together with his mother, he runs a " spicker stand ", the classic arrow throwing on balloons. The family business is on the road from April to the Oktoberfest . "We are at all kinds of festivals, from Garmisch to Pullach, Pentecost festivals or smaller events - until the end of the season the Oktoberfest is waiting," says Thomä. In the winter season they operate a chestnut stand from the end of October to February, for example at the Stachus in Munich .
The spicker booth by Florian Thomä and his mother.
© Florian Thomä
Corona virus in Munich: showmen fear for their future after Oktoberfest
The first cancellations of the corona virus came in February, the more time passed, the more predictable it was for the showmen that this year could be very different . "It quickly became clear to me that nothing more could take place this year, so I was not pessimistic, I was just a realist." The income for the showmen collapsed completely, you couldn't sell any to-go products , Thomä states how it is possible in gastronomy. He has already availed himself of the government's immediate aid , which the stall owner found completely uncomplicated and quick. But that, according to the Munich, is of course not an economic cushion for an entire year.
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Corona in Munich: showmen facing a frightened future - even until Christmas
"Until we have no vaccine , I am certain that a normality that will allow our business to start again will not exist." Florian Thomä even goes one step further - the Christmas markets in the coming winter are also in danger for him. For him, even with strong loosening, the chestnut business is at risk - the goods come from countries like Italy or Spain, where the measures are even stricter: “They have massive problems with the harvest , that's a vicious cycle. "
Corona crisis in Munich: easing in autumn? Gloomy forecast until Christmas
He does not believe that there could be such easing by then that Christmas markets could be realized . In addition to the financial hardships, one thing hurts the 30-year-old particularly. "The contact with the people, the laughing of the children - that's impossible, one misses terribly and hurts terribly ." For economic survival, one is in close contact with the showmen's association, but cannot yet foresee how concrete additional help is could look. In order to bridge the time, Thomä will first look for a mini-job : "I don't really care whether filling up shelves or delivering things, the main thing is that you earn a little bit more." It will probably not be the last measure, Florian Thomä and many showmen will have to meet.
* tz.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network.