Söder opens the exhibition "Typical Franconia?" in Ansbach: And raves about Franconian loyalty

Created: 05/25/2022Updated: 05/25/2022 15:37

By: Magdalena von Zumbusch

You can still hear a bit of Franconian in his fluency: Söder, who was born in Nuremberg, praises the "great food and the inner serenity" of the Franconians.

Ansbach - Many people associate Franconian culture primarily with culinary specialties: bratwurst, wine, beer and gingerbread from the Bavarian administrative district are well-known classics.

But that's not all that makes up Franconian culture: Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) explains at the opening of the Bavarian State Exhibition 2022 in Ansbach what he associates with his homeland - not least inner values.

Bavarian State Exhibition 2022: Söder opens "Typical Franconia?" exhibition

This year's state exhibition shows what makes Franconia and its culture special: On around 1000 square meters in the orangery and in the town church of St. Gumbertus in Ansbach.

Söder officially opened the show on Tuesday (May 24) and has been open to the public since Wednesday (May 25).

The exhibition is a declaration of love for Franconia, said Bavaria's Prime Minister.

“Our diversity is typical of Franconia,” he added.

The fact that Franconia is now the focus of a state exhibition for the third time is not due to the Bavarian head of state Söder, but to his predecessor (Upper Bavaria) Horst Seehofer (CSU), as can be read in the exhibition catalogue.

Markus Söder at the opening of the "Typical Franconia" exhibition, which showcases Franconian culture.

© Daniel Karmann/dpa

"Typically Franconian?": The Franconian is more down-to-earth than the Upper Bavarian, says Minister of Education Blume

According to the House of Bavarian History, which is (co-)responsible for the organization, the question mark in the title of the exhibition was deliberately placed: it questions the many clichés and prejudices against Franconian culture.

The question mark also points to a certain understatement that is commonly associated with the Franks, according to Minister of Art Markus Blume (CSU).

Oberbayern, on the other hand, would have at least three exclamation marks in the title, he added.

Söder also emphasized the sometimes overlooked importance of Franconia for southern Germany.

In terms of area, it is as large as Upper Bavaria, which many people do not know.

And the Franks themselves are often underestimated, said Söder.

He is modest, but actually knows about his qualities and is connected to his homeland.

The best thing for him is when he can return home after a vacation.

"The Franconian just likes to be at home," said Söder.

Bavarian State Exhibition 2022: According to Söder, the Franconian is shy but loyal

You could shock him the most if you sat down at his table in the tavern even though there were other seats available.

"It takes a while before you have the Franconian as a friend, it doesn't happen that quickly." But once you have him, you can't get rid of him, joked Söder: The Franconian is very loyal.

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In the new exhibition, visitors can embark on a journey through time all over Franconia.

150 exhibits illuminate the nine Franconian regions between the Middle Ages and 1800, and there is also something to see about present-day Franconia.

Visitors can learn about the wine country of Franconia, about the Franconian beer, the traditional costume, the role of religion in Franconia and of course the Franconian bratwurst and Nuremberg gingerbread.

"Franconia is a feeling," says Söder: The Bavarian State Exhibition in Ansbach is intended to convey that feeling

In addition to its cultural diversity, Franconia is also characterized by “economic performance, beautiful nature, great food and this inner serenity”: “Franconian people don’t make a fuss about things,” says Söder.

And found a nice final word for the exhibition: Söder thinks that the exhibition has succeeded in conveying the special beauty of Franconia to the viewer.

And this is "not to be measured in numbers and statistics", but: "Franconia is a feeling".

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