Festwirt Christian Fahrenschon is hit particularly hard by the Corona crisis.
In an interview with our newspaper, he reveals whether there will be a “forest summer” or a “summer at home” in Geretsried this year.
Geretsried - The date is set: From July 30th to August 8th there will be chicken, beer and music at the fairground on Jahnstraße again this year.
Since 2017, the Rosenheim host family Fahrenschon has been organizing the "Forest Summer", as the folk festival has been called since then.
In 2020, due to the corona pandemic, only a slimmed-down variant was possible, the "summer at home".
It has been looking bleak for major events for over a year. In an interview, Christian Fahrenschon speaks about the difficult situation in which his industry finds itself.
Mr. Fahrenschon, how did you get through the winter?
Christian Fahrenschon:
My children have looked for a sideline, and I'm back to where I started when I was 16 years old.
I sold almonds, gastric bread and popcorn at a stand in front of the Karstadt in Rosenheim.
When the retail trade closed and the city center was dead, I stopped operating too.
Since then we have been living on savings, which have now been used up.
Help did not arrive.
It should start again now.
Your first date is the Großkarolinenfeld spring festival at the beginning of May.
Christian Fahrenschon:
Actually, we wanted to start selling on the street in Gmund earlier, but we have to see if we can take the trip.
We hope that a small beer garden is possible in Großkarolinenfeld, in the style that it was in Geretsried last year.
The Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen district office had initially rejected this alternative event last year because of Corona. They fought for approval with a lawsuit. Do you think it will be easier this season?
Christian Fahrenschon:
No.
Last year, each county decided for itself, and even now the seven-day incidence rule is not practical.
According to this, someone should not go to a pub in their home municipality, but possibly in the other district five kilometers further.
A uniform regulation is needed.
The government has to create the framework, and I, as an entrepreneur, have to make sure that I implement them if I want to unlock.
The district office should check whether the hygiene requirements are met.
If not, the company has to shut down until it fits.
It should be so.
I can't shut down an entire industry in general because I'm afraid it could pose a threat.
It's a look into the crystal ball, but what do you expect in Geretsried this year: “Forest summer” or “Summer at home”?
Christian Fahrenschon:
I think we'll be a mix of both.
If enough rapid tests are available by the summer and the vaccination progresses faster by then, I could imagine that we would have a normal party with an entrance control.
Visitors then have to show that they are vaccinated or have taken a test.
In my opinion, this has nothing to do with two-class society.
If you want to celebrate undisturbed, you have to protect the other guests.
And I also have to take care of the safety of my staff.
Last year's “summer at home” was well received. Would such an alternative be all right again for you?
Christian Fahrenschon:
Not really.
I am there to put up a marquee and organize a program for all generations.
The concept has proven itself over decades.
All of a sudden I'm supposed to take a few steps back and just set up a few beer tables and stalls?
That shouldn't become the rule for 2021.
It has nothing to do with a folk festival in the traditional sense.
I want to sell a good mood and positive experiences.
By the way: We had 15,000 visitors in Geretsried in 2020 and not a single infection.
One employee was busy collecting and archiving data for four weeks - not a single case was asked.
They also organize the showmen for your folk festivals. What is the situation like for them?
Christian Fahrenschon:
Some of them had to throw in the towel.
One had a little roller coaster that was supposed to be placed at all of my events last year.
But then he was only allowed to set them up in Vaterstetten.
Because of this, he could no longer pay his installments.
Others drive gravel trucks, work in drywall or sell almonds.
You're trying to stay afloat, but the air is getting thin.
Now, of course, nobody starts again, which in turn is a problem for manufacturers.
And the waitresses are totally forgotten.
Seasonal workers receive no support whatsoever.
I guess 50 percent are now in other jobs.
It will be difficult to find staff for larger events in the future.
How are you personally with the whole thing?
Christian Fahrenschon:
Two weeks ago I was still calling myself an old optimist.
I looked to the future with confidence.
But now I have heard that the bridging payments are to be stopped because of a few black sheep.
It pulls you down when you run out of money because politics don't keep what they say.
What should I tell my bank?
How should I keep my business going?
That puts a strain on me emotionally.
You've been hardworking your whole life, you've built up a business and in the end you'll be punished for being in the wrong industry.
I don't want to have to go through this situation again in my life.
sw
Also read: “Summer at home” in Geretsried was worth it
