500 needy people celebrate Christmas in the Hofbräuhaus: Guests tell what this evening means to them

Created: 12/27/2022, 10:52 am

A festival for the poor: volunteers served the food in the Hofbräuhaus.

© Jens Hartmann

It wasn't just the warmth in the well-heated dining room that was good for them - the warmth in their hearts was the best!

On Christmas Eve, 500 poor people from Munich, who otherwise have to struggle with the cold and loneliness, were able to feel it.

Munich – The Catholic men’s welfare association invited the homeless to the Hofbräuhaus for the 30th time this year (after a two-year Corona break).

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Around 100 volunteers sang Christmas carols and helped to bring the food to those invited: Braised beef with dumplings and sauce, Platzerl and all the desired drinks.

Visibly touched and grateful, but also jolly and sociable, the guests celebrated in the festively decorated hall and were also delighted to receive a backpack with a supermarket voucher and gifts.

The Munich Auxiliary Bishop Rupert Graf zu Stolberg was there and spoke to the guests.

So they could forget all their worries that evening.

Five guests told us how much this evening means to them.

Rosi K. from Munich © Jens Hartmann

So great to be around people

I've been coming to the Christmas party in the Hofbräuhaus for many years.

I used to be homeless, until 1999 I lived on the streets for seven and a half years.

But now I got an apartment.

I used to be a cook, but now I can't work anymore, I had a stroke.

If I weren't here today, I'd be partying at home with my hangover.

But I'm happy to talk to people.

I wish you health and happiness for Christmas.

Roman M. from Munich.

© Jens Hartmann

I would like an apartment

I live at Implerstraße 51, this is a municipal emergency shelter.

I'm actually a master butcher, military cook and farmer.

But I have a serious disability: After a serious accident at work, my right leg is paralyzed.

If I wasn't here, I would be home.

I like to write letters, stories and poems.

My wish for next year would be to get a small apartment.

Maybe someday I'll get a fixed pension.

Then maybe I would emigrate.

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Claudia M. © Jens Hartmann

My dream is a permanent job

This is my second time here - the last time was before Corona.

I could have celebrated with my girlfriend and my mom today, but I really wanted to come back here.

I work part-time in a reintegration company.

But my greatest wish would be to get a job on the primary labor market again.

I have a degree in office administration.

I would love to go there again!

What I wish for Christmas and for the New Year: health and that my mum will live for a long time, she is already 82. She should stay healthy for a long time!

Heinrich H. from Munich © Jens Hartmamnn

A party alone would be far too sad for me

I don't have anyone to celebrate Christmas with.

But it's just not fun to do alone.

That's why I love coming here!

You meet other poor people.

Some have problems, they talk to me and I like talking to them.

I live in Freimann with a colleague.

We put up a Christmas tree and a crib.

But it's nicer here.

It's a family celebration, you have to celebrate it with nice people!

My wish for the new year is that there will be peace again.

David L. from Munich.

© Jens Hartmann

Nice that there are good people

I broke up with a woman, since then I've been living on the street.

For six months.

I'll stay here and there.

It's my first time at this party in the Hofbräuhaus today.

I'm so glad there are such good people.

You help me a lot!

What do I wish for?

I have a son and a daughter and I only wish them well!

Me?

Oh, I've got it somehow.

My problem is the alcohol.

That's the only thing.

I get offers and help - but I'm an alcoholic.