Saxon state association of miners', smelters' and miners' clubs receives 50,000 euros in funding

The Saxon State Association of Miners', Metallurgical and Miners' Associations will receive 50,000 euros from the Free State budget this year. The Ministry of Culture in Dresden announced on Monday that 38,500 euros will be used to fund the production of mining bards from around 1850, true-to-original parade weapons based on historical models. The so-called parade rifle is an integral part of the miners' uniform, but today is usually only available as a copy.

Mountain parades are part of the Saxon tradition and are an important crowd puller, as Minister of Culture and Tourism Barbara Klepsch (CDU) said at the presentation of the funding decision in Chemnitz. Every year during Advent, they attract tens of thousands of visitors and are even more authentic with the authentic mountain beards. Klepsch thanked the volunteers who are involved in the miners', smelters' and miners' associations "and thus live and preserve these traditions and customs".

According to the ministry, 50,000 euros each were made available for the first time in the 2023/2024 double budget to maintain these traditions, attract young talent and carry out cultural work in the Erzgebirge/Krušnohoří mining region. This year, 11,500 euros have already been used to support a concert by Saxon mining bands on World Heritage Day on June 4 in Freiberg.

The State Association of Miners', Metallurgical and Miners' Associations represents the interests of mining brotherhoods, mining and metallurgical miners' associations, mining music, history and tradition associations that are dedicated to preserving and maintaining the mining and metallurgical heritage. According to current figures, it has more than 3,500 members in Saxony and the Czech Republic. Since 2016, mountain parades and mountain processions in Saxony have been on the nationwide list of intangible cultural heritage.