The "Day of the Saxons" 2025 in Sebnitz will be funded with 1.4 million euros via the municipal financial equalization scheme. The town on the edge of Saxon Switzerland, which is known for its artificial flower production, will thus receive double the previous funding and an additional 400,000 euros have been earmarked in the state budget, as Matthias Rößler, President of the State Parliament and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, said on Thursday. As in 2023, the Free State is also involved in the area of security, the requirements for which have been increased. Rößler expects between 1,400 and 2,000 police officers to be deployed.
The "Day of the Saxons" is not a state event, but "a major civic festival and expression of Saxon identity", emphasized Rößler. Sebnitz had decided to bid for the second time since 2003 after a public survey with over 60 percent approval and had been awarded the contract. According to Rößler, there have been conceptual changes. As voluntary work has become increasingly difficult, especially after the pandemic, smaller associations have been given more space to present themselves, their work and their commitment. They are particularly affected by the ageing of society beyond large associations, they lack the committed middle-aged and young people.
The first biennial of the folk festival, which was founded in 1992, is to take place in the large district town with around 9500 inhabitants from September 5 to 7, 2025. After no host municipality applied to host such large-scale events due to the increased effort involved, the "Day of the Saxons" will now only take place every two years - and resources will be pooled. The course has been set for Sebnitz," said Rößler. The "Day of the Saxons" stands and falls with the commitment of the citizens. If this was lacking, it would "no longer be possible to continue despite a great deal of support".
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