This has never happened before: Two years in a row the tree for the Munich Christmas market comes from the Weilheim-Schongau district, but this time from a different location.
Munich / District -
Anyone who is allowed to deliver the tree for the Christmas market (this time from November 22nd to December 24th) around Munich's town hall on Marienplatz will get a lot of media attention. "The tree is often the number one topic of conversation with Munich residents themselves, and the donors find it a great reputation," says Andrea Deller, deputy head of the state capital's protocol department responsible for the organization. In the 44 years in which the tree has been supplied by cities and municipalities as well as districts from the region or nearby foreign countries, it has never happened that a district has been awarded this honor twice in a row. The then District Administrator Luitpold Braun and Gerda Walser, chairman of the “Farm Holidays” association, applied 18 years ago.
Steingaden last year, this year Peiting
The fact that the district is twice involved is due to the fact that the Steingadener jumped in for Verona at short notice last year and delivered their “beautifully grown 22 meter high spruce” to the state capital, according to Deller.
Since the Christmas market was canceled last year, the Steingadener will get a stand at the town hall as compensation this year, where they can sell mulled wine and the like.
The district itself is allowed to sell mulled wine, punch and biscuits from three windows of the historic town hall in the courtyard of the grand courtyard and to advertise the district with brochures and displays.
It is planned that a different one of the 34 district communities should be responsible for catering every day.
The proceeds will go to charity.
Silver fir is transported to Munich by night transport
The 27 meter high Peitinger silver fir is to be felled at the beginning of November and brought to the state capital on November 3rd.
According to a press release from the District Office, the tree had to be felled anyway and a sapling would be planted for it.
Night transport is planned over 75 kilometers and three districts.
At the city limits, the Weilheim-Schongauers are met by the Munich police and directed to Marienplatz. There, the “fire station 9” of the Munich professional fire brigade is waiting and begins to erect the tree at around 6 o'clock.
If something goes wrong during transport or installation, there is a replacement tree that comes from Magnetsried.
Proud Peitingers
In Peiting they are of course very proud that the Munich Christmas tree this year comes from the market town.
Last Tuesday, Mayor Peter Ostenrieder brought the good news to the local council behind closed doors.
"Even if the district officially provides the Christmas tree, in the end it is a Peitinger tree that will shine on Munich's Marienplatz," says Ostenrieder happily.
At this point in time, the town hall chief does not want to reveal where the selected silver fir is in the local area.
This remains a well-kept secret until it is felled.
BY JOHANNES THOMA AND CHRISTOPH PETERS
