Rotarians save the Dorfen Christmas market

Created: 10/28/2022, 09:00

By: Michaele Heske

Magical "city within the city": The stalls, designed like the houses on the market square, are eye-catchers.

Archive Doggs raffle and tree sponsors Lighting is dimmed © weingartner

After the pandemic and the dissolution of the cultural working group, the future of the Christmas market in Dorfen was uncertain.

The Rotary Club takes over as organizer.

Dorfen

– The Christmas market was canceled for two years due to the pandemic: In Advent 2022 there will be a stall magic again – even though the market was on the brink this year.

Until recently, it was uncertain who would assume responsibility.

Because after the dissolution of the cultural working group, which was responsible for the organization for more than 40 years, there was initially no successor.

Now the Rotary Club is taking over.

The lottery booth of the Rotarians in front of the market church has been a tradition since the club was founded in 2001.

"Our raffle was somehow always connected to the Christmas market," says Ludwig Rudolf, current Rotary President.

Since no other organizer could be found, it was a matter of honor for the club to take on this task.

"We support social and cultural projects, especially here locally and on site in Dorfen."

With the stalls painted by Annemarie Werhazy, which represent the facades of the historic houses on the lower market, the Dorfen Christmas market is "a city within the city and undoubtedly one of the most beautiful markets of its kind far and wide, incomparable in its kind", explains Ludwig, who is also the city's culture officer.

The special thing about it: "It's not just about mulled wine and culinary delights, but at the stands there are high-quality handicrafts and Christmas offers."

For Stefan Tremmel, chairman of the Förderkreis Dorfen, the event is in the heart of the town and also an annual crowd puller.

"Especially in these times, which are characterized by bad news, visitors can stroll around the market and listen to Christmas music without any worries." The nice thing about it: "It's a market without a lot of halligalli." comes.

This year, the raffle for the Dorfen business vouchers (Doggs) will not take place as usual at the Martinimarkt, but during the Christmas market: "We have changed our plans, we have more attention in Advent," says Tremmel.

The total value of the prizes is 1300 euros.

For the first time this year there will be a so-called tree sponsorship.

"Any company can buy a Christmas tree and decorate it in its own design, the Sparkasse in red, for example, and we, the Heuschneider Elektromarkt, in black," says Managing Director Tremmel, explaining the new idea.

After the booth magic, the trees go to the appropriate companies and will decorate the rooms there.

It costs 100 euros, which goes to the Rotary Club, which in turn will use it to finance social projects in the city.

Mayor Heinz Grundner is also pleased that the Rotary Club is reviving the Christmas market together with the Förderkreis: "The loss of this tradition would have been extremely regrettable." The depiction of the city in the city creates a magic, a very special atmosphere However, things will be dimmed a little this year, says Rudolf: "For energy reasons, not quite as many lights will shine."