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Christmas 1974: Traffic chaos and nostalgic film trips in Gummersbach
Discover the 1974 Christmas season in the Oberbergischer Kreis: traffic chaos, local specialties and historical insights.
Christmas 1974: Traffic chaos and nostalgic film trips in Gummersbach
50 years ago, in December 1974, people in Gummersbach experienced chaotic traffic conditions. According to a report by Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger, the traffic on Christmas Eve was so congested that there were several accidents in the city center. The reason for the traffic chaos was not winter weather, but rather that many companies had given their employees the day off before the festival, which led to a massive rush on the city. “The main roads were hopelessly clogged,” said the local newspaper at the time.
At the same time, festive activities took place in the city. A notable event was the opportunity to cut a tree yourself in the Christmas forest. Around 1,000 families took part in this traditional campaign, in which around 500 to 600 spruce trees were handed over to their new owners, as the report by Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger explains. In addition, an article encouraged people to try a dish made from regional ingredients for the festival. Aunt Lenchen in Morsbach brought the popular farmer's dish “Riewe-Latz” to the table, which attracted many friends and acquaintances.
Cinematic reviews of Gummersbach
Another aspect of Gummersbach's history is discussed in the archive films, which were prepared by Uwe Brustmeier and Gerhard Pomykaj. These films offer a nostalgic look back at the city and impressively show how Gummersbach has changed over the years. The event took place in the Bergneustadt local history museum and was well received by the population as people like to reminisce. Their film screenings alternate between the oldest recordings, including a sleigh ride from 1928, and a film about the hometown of Gummersbach.
These films are not only entertaining, but also a valuable source for documenting the city's history. The organizers are calling for private film archives to be searched and lost treasures from the past to be digitized in order to preserve Gummersbach's legacy, as Oberberg Nachrichten reported.
For more information about the historical reviews of the city of Gummersbach, visit Cologne City Gazette and Oberberg News.