Mindelheim - The city of Mindelheim will again only offer a slimmed-down Christmas market this year - but not on the church square, but, as in 2020, spread over several individual venues in the old town. The big change of location could come in 2022: Currently, the consideration is in the room to move the Christmas market to the Mindelburg and create a unique pre-Christmas experience for visitors from near and far. A new working group will examine in the next few weeks whether this can be implemented.
Since August 1st, the city has again the full right of disposal over the main castle of the Mindelburg. As the head of the cultural office, Christian Schedler, presented to the city's youth, culture and social committee yesterday evening, it would be a worthwhile idea to offer a very special Christmas market at the castle in the future. “The unique ensemble with the castle, the chapel, the keep, the rondelles, the bridge and the gatekeeper's house would provide an incomparable setting for the market. Suitable rooms in the main castle buildings could also be used, ”explained Schedler. He drew a comparison with Christmas markets in English castles, where, for example, St. Nicholas, fairy tale and Christmas rooms are part of the market. In addition, for example, medieval topics can be taken up together with the Frundsberg Festring.
From the point of view of the head of the cultural office, the available space would be sufficient to accommodate a large part of the stalls up there. Access could be granted via the outer bailey, where you could then also charge a small entrance fee.
Moving the Christmas market is likely to have an impact on Mindelheim retailers in the future. Schedler put this into perspective: the experience of recent years would have shown that even at the Christmas market on Kirchplatz there was always something going on from 5 or 6 p.m., which is why the market had not had an impact on retailers' pre-Christmas business in the end. In order to allow the old town to benefit from the Mindelburg idea, shuttle buses can be offered between the castle and Marienplatz, as well as a small market area with food stalls in the center - these may start at noon for a “market sausage” for Christmas shopping. Furthermore, the cultural events of the Mindelheim Advent would draw visitors to the city, says Schedler.
Moving to the castle would also involve some costs - although Schedler emphasized that he could not yet give an exact framework.
Among other things, new booths would have to be procured, because a larger part of the existing booths is ruinous according to the building yard and would have to be replaced anyway.
In addition, suitable Advent lighting of the castle grounds and its surroundings would have to be taken into account.
Burtscher: "Great story, but decoupled from the city"
As Schedler emphasized, the concept has by no means been fully developed so far, rather it is only about feedback from the committee members - and this was largely positive, although some critical questions were asked. Claudia Steber (CSU) found the idea of moving to the Mindelburg to be “very good”, but was concerned about the parking situation at the castle. “And not everyone parks on the Schwabenwiese,” says Steber. Ursula Kiefersauer (MBG) and Mehmet Yesil (SPD) spoke of a "tempting" idea, Fritz Birkle (CSU) of a "charming" idea. Yesil, however, pointed out that they wanted to liven up the old town with the Christmas market, which would not happen with a market on the Mindelburg. Thomas Burtscher (Greens) also emphasized this: “That is most likely a great story, but it is decoupled from the city.“How you can still bring all interests under one roof with a Christmas market on the Mindelburg, a working group is now to find out - consisting of city councilors, cultural office, MN advertising group, retailers and restaurateurs. According to Mayor Dr. Stephan Winter has the finished concept in view of the budget resolution and the long lead time for planning.
Incidentally, the long lead time was also decisive in why there is no market at Mindelheimer Kirchplatz this year - despite the state government's recently given green light for Christmas markets in Bavaria. Mayor Winter had commented on this before Schedler's statements. In 2003 the decision was made to focus on a “high quality offer” at the Kirchplatz Christmas market, which has been taking place since 2004, especially represented by many artisans. They would have remained loyal to the city for many years, but needed early planning security to order or manufacture their goods - and demanded a clear statement from the city at the latest by the middle of the year as to whether the Christmas market will take place. In view of the uncertain corona situation in July, the only thing left was the cancellation of the market,declared Winter.
Meanwhile, the city is offering a similar alternative program this year as in 2020: with two booths of the candy cooker on Marienplatz, food stalls at the Upper Gate, in front of the town hall and across from the fairytale forest, which is being rebuilt.
From the mayor's point of view, “a sensible offer has been created that gives a Christmas feeling”.