Christmas market dispute: dealer banished, hope for the new future?

Christmas market dispute: dealer banished, hope for the new future?

On the Neuwintermarkt at Mainz Neubrunnenplatz there is a big air: The long-time Christmas tree seller Rudolf Hillebrand has to clear its traditional place this year. This reports the Allgemeine Zeitung and highlights the realignment of the market, which is intended to focus more on gastronomic offers. Hillebrand, who has always sold his trees in this busy place, is disappointed. He was "pushed into the corner", where he is hardly seen and is frustrated with this decision that he is attached to the market organizer David Wilk.

For Hillebrand it came even worse: Shortly before the opening, the fire brigade prohibited the construction of its stand on Neue Platz for security reasons. Economic director Manuela Matz regrets this, but describes Hillebrand as a "loyal Christmas tree dealer" and sees the strict fire protection requirements as unchangeable. "Too bad and unhappy" is the fact, says Matz, but also notes that a "plot" in favor of new stands cannot be assumed. Hillebrand lives on site and mourns the conversations with the buyers who often came out of the area.

journalist of 2024