“With the best will in the world, it doesn't work”: The Oberammergau Christmas market will also be canceled in 2021

The 40th has to wait on.

As in 2020, the Oberammergau Christmas market cannot celebrate its milestone birthday this year either.

It has been canceled due to Corona.

Oberammergau - "Now I can go for me," says Hermann Wiegand under "Wishes and Requests" and grins. The 80-year-old always has a relaxed, funny saying in store. That's how you know him. Why should it be any different at the annual meeting of the Oberammergau Christkindlmarktverein? Several times the chairman elicited a laugh from the almost 20 present. Only with one topic does it all pass on Tuesday evening. With the "sad news": The Christmas market on Kirchplatz is canceled due to the currently worrying Corona situation.

In the run-up to the meeting in the Ammergauer Haus, the management team decided to cancel.

“It doesn't work with the best will in the world,” emphasizes Wiegand and hopes that those involved will understand.

Nobody contradicts.

Nobody expresses criticism of the decision.

The Chairman and his team saw no other way out, although they considered several options.

For example, pulling apart the “Markt mit Herz” to Max-Streibl-Platz.

The proposal ended up in the ideas bin again.

Because especially at stands where you can buy food and drinks such as sausages and mulled wine, groups are formed.

"People gather there," says Wiegand, "there you can do what you want."

Support for those in need

The cancellation hurts.

First and foremost, however, not because the event, which traditionally would have taken place on the First Advent, i.e. on November 28th, exudes a particularly pre-Christmas atmosphere in the town.

It is more important that the 40th anniversary of the market has to be postponed a second time.

Because in 2020 it fell victim to the corona pandemic.

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Announces the cancellation: Hermann Wiegand, here with his board members Barbara Streibl and Bettina Biermann (r.)

© Bartl

Above all, however, the association is concerned with fulfilling the actual purpose of the hut charm.

"We need money to do justice to this," says Wiegand, who was awarded the town's gold plaque at the meeting by Mayor Andreas Rödl (CSU).

The proceeds have always benefited institutions and the financially weak in Oberammergau and throughout the Ammertal.

Around 9,000 euros alone go to those in need on average.

“A lot of money,” says the chairman.

"But they really need it because the gap between rich and poor is widening."

To get hold of products at a few stalls

Therefore, like last year, an alternative campaign is to start.

At that time there was a great wave of helpfulness from associations, business people and private individuals who raised funds in different ways.

Wiegand thinks of the auction of the hand-painted trainers that the acolytes organized.

“Last year they were the supermen.” In total, the Christkindlmarktverein was able to book a total of almost 11,000 euros.

One of the plans for this year is to set up three stands at the parish church along the Frühmessergasse in order to offer the otherwise popular products on the three Sundays in Advent from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

More details will be announced - on a flyer and in the daily paper.