Host Nation Update, Feb. 5, 2024
Fasching parade in Gärtringen (Böblingen district)
After a long break, there is a parade in Gärtringen again. On Friday, February 9, the 1st Gärtringen Fools’ Guild will start its twilight parade at 4:16 p.m. followed by an “after parade party”. The Gärtringer Schlachtbullen, Keaspälter and Bronnawächter are hosting 65 participating fool groups, as the fool guild announces in advance.
“We’re starting at the war memorial this year,” explains Daniel Schmidt. Normally, the town hall has always been the focal point of the parade, and the parade has also run through the entire town. This year, the destination is the Schwarzwaldhalle – where the after-parade party takes place. “We are extremely happy that we can do something again,” says Daniel Schmidt. Last year, the association was often asked why there were no events, not even a children’s carnival. This year, the children’s carnival will take place on Saturday, February 10. “We hope we have a great time,” he adds.
It is also important to the Narrenzunft that the municipality of Gärtringen has issued a ban on hard alcohol along the route of the parade between 1 pm and 9 pm. For many people, alcohol is part of the foolish fifth season, which is fine to a certain extent. However, the general order is aimed at the safety and health of all participants and visitors. Unpleasant incidents and excesses caused by the consumption of high-proof drinks should be prevented. (Stgt Nachrichten, Feb 5, 2024)
Exhibition in Leonberg at the start of the horse market and everything about the Leonberger dog
In its exhibition “Famous, infamous, popular – The Leonberger Dog & Co.”, the German Club of Leonberger Dogs is showing photographs of this dog breed. The opening will take place as part of the horse market on Friday, February 9, at 7 pm in the city museum. Although the Leonberger dog is not a movie star like Lassie, it is one of the most popular four-legged friends in Germany. And: he is the living emblem of the town of Leonberg. The German Club of Leonberger Dogs is now presenting him in an exhibition with photo portraits by Corinna Ziegler. These portraits are accompanied by a small pack of famous dogs. In addition to cartoon characters and movie dogs, there is also a sports mascot. In addition to the celebrities, visitors can also find out more about the background to the respective dog breeds. At the opening, Mayor Martin Georg Cohn welcomes the guests, followed by Dominik Schätzle from the Department of Culture and Sport and Ralph Kaisser from the German Club for Leonberger Dogs, who give a thematic introduction to the exhibition. The exhibition is open until April 28. Admission is free. Opening hours of the city museum, Pfarrstraße 1, are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 2 to 5 p.m., Sundays 1 to 6 p.m.Local Baden-Württemberg news translated and summarized as a courtesy by USAG Stuttgart Public Affairs. and by appointment. On Horse Market Tuesday it is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Stgt Nachrichten, Feb 5, 2024)
Baden-Württemberg – Fewer contracts for industry in 2023
Industry in the southwest suffered setbacks in 2023. The drop was most pronounced in incoming contracts. Adjusted for prices and working days, the southwest industry recorded a drop of 10.3 percent compared to the same period last year, as reported by the State Statistical Office in Stuttgart on Monday based on preliminary data.
Production – also adjusted – was slightly below the previous year’s level with a drop of 0.7 percent. At 0.6 percent, real turnover also fell slightly short of the previous year’s figure. According to the statisticians, the year was characterized by falling prices, rising interest rates, geopolitical tensions and the resulting overall weakness in global trade. (SN Feb 5, 2024)
Energy turnaround -TransnetBW: Building new power plants primarily in the south
The federal government’s strategy for the construction of hydrogen-capable gas-fired power plants falls short of the expectations of Stuttgart-based grid operator TransnetBW. “We welcome the fact that progress is finally being made with the power plant strategy and consider this to be an important first step.
However, what was presented today still leaves many questions unanswered,” explained company boss Werner Götz on Monday. It is therefore all the more important that the four 2.5 gigawatt power plants that are now being planned are built quickly at the right locations, primarily in the south. After a long struggle, the German government agreed on a strategy for the construction of hydrogen-capable gas-fired power plants. They are to start up when there is no wind and no sunshine. TransnetBW wants to incentivize the construction of new power plants with an advance payment. In return, the company guarantees a certain level of remuneration based on forecasts for the use of the plants. (SN Feb 5, 2024)
