The Saxon miners' associations kicked off the Advent season with the mining parade in Chemnitz. Around 1,000 people took part in the parade, with more than 10,000 visitors lining the route, as Ray Lätzsch, Chairman of the State Association of Miners', Miners' and Miners' Associations, told the German Press Agency. "It is the absolute highlight at the start of Advent and many towns in the Erzgebirge have these parades."
For decades, the parades have kicked off in Chemnitz. Numerous visitors also came to Zwönitz and Oelsnitz to see the members of the miners' associations in their traditional costumes. More mining parades were to follow on Sunday.
Parades are intangible cultural heritage
Mountain parades are intangible cultural heritage. Around a dozen alone are organized by the regional association of miners', smelters' and miners' clubs during Advent. There are also many other regional parades.
The aim is to present mining and metallurgy traditions to the public, pass them on and bring joy to people's hearts in the run-up to Christmas, explained Lätzsch. Around 3,800 people are involved in the more than 60 associations.
The closing ceremony of each parade includes the "Steigerlied", which is sung by many in Saxony with its verses "Glück auf, Glück auf! Der Steiger kommt" is considered a secret anthem by many in Saxony.
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