This weekend, Idar-Oberstein will once again attract many visitors from near and far, as the gem-cutting and goldsmith market with street theater takes place in the Oberstein district. Shortly before the start of the double event, which is flanked by an open Sunday, organizers and supporters met at the Kreissparkasse Birkenfeld for a press event to provide information on the current status.
KSK Chairman Torsten Rothfuchs welcomed the guests and emphasized that he was looking forward to the weekend. "This is a great event that is being organized with a great deal of commitment, which we as the Kreissparkasse are happy to support." Lord Mayor Frank Frühauf thanked the sponsors - in addition to KSK, these are OIE AG, the Bürkle Foundation, Globus Idar-Oberstein and the state of Rhineland-Palatinate - for their valuable support. "The city and the Schmuckkultur association could not do this alone, so we are delighted with the long-standing commitment of our sponsors."
Fredrik Grüneberg - chairman of the Schmuckkultur association, which organizes the gem-cutting and goldsmith market - explained that there are 43 stands this year. "We have five new exhibitors, including Louis Gottlieb & Söhne, who are offering a mining field for the youngest guests." Otherwise, as always, great importance is attached to regular demonstrations at the stands. "After all, that's what makes our market so special - visitors can experience how stones are worked and jewelry is created."
Annette Strohm, the city's cultural officer, described the street theater organized by the cultural department as the 'little sister of the market'. "Both events have complemented each other perfectly for years. This year, we once again have an attractive program with a very international line-up." The artists represent the full diversity of street theater: lively music, rousing dance, imaginative magic, humorous acrobatics, tragicomic tightrope walking, a dazzling soap bubble spectacle, charming oracle and poetic stilt theater.
- Admission to the events is free, a hat money will be collected to support the street theater. The market stalls are open on Saturday from 11 am to 7 pm and on Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm. The street theater starts at 1 pm on both days. The stores are open from 1 pm to 6 pm on Sunday. More information at www.schmuck-kultur.com.