Manger paths in the district of Ebersberg: Makers draw a positive balance – Ebersberg

The Ebersberger Krippenweg has by no means had a darn seventh year, on the contrary. The 2021/22 edition was a little Christmas miracle for the organizers – despite, or rather because of, Corona: This time it was “up close” that people were able to experience the joy the big nativity scene exhibition – more than ever in these difficult times – gave people, says Thomas Warg, responsible for public relations in the team. In the previous year, however, the organizers could only make assumptions about the response: tours were prohibited in 2020/21 due to the pandemic, all visitors had to explore the crib path on their own. People are also extremely satisfied in Zorneding, where a crib trail took place for the first time this winter. The offer received “very large, positive feedback”, write the exhibitors around initiator Thomas Pittroff: The Krippenweg encouraged numerous community members of all generations to take walks and thus brought a little light into the dark season. And this should continue to shine in the future: Also in the coming Advent season there will “definitely” be a crib path in Zorneding, and the team is already planning the next innovations in Ebersberg.

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Many business people were there, but also public institutions and private individuals

68 stations were offered in Ebersberg, not quite as many, namely 28, in Zorneding. But it was also a premiere there. In the district town, the cribs under the organizational umbrella of the Confederation of Self-Employed Persons (BDS) were mainly to be seen in shops, in Zorneding the “Action by Citizens for Citizens” united various actors, from private individuals to the trade forum to churches, kindergartens, Fire department and town hall. In both places, the crib path extended over the entire municipality, including “branch offices”. Guided tours – both open and ordered – were only available in Ebersberg, where three of the city guides had taken up the Christmas theme, namely Thomas Warg, Robert Bauer and Roswitha Hülser. But both teams rely on a strong online presence in addition to the physical offer. Traditionally, it ended with the arrival of the three kings on January 6th.

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Before Advent, the fears were great and the prospects were bleak, says Warg. The Ebersberg team around Stefan Kühnlein is all the more pleased that they have not canceled the Krippenweg and that they can now draw a very positive balance. On Thursdays and Sundays there were well-attended open tours, only for vaccinated people and by appointment, and many groups have booked extra tours. “Some companies had to cancel their Christmas parties including the day out due to Corona, but then suddenly many schools and kindergartens approached us,” says Warg. This increase in the young audience was also reflected in the children’s scavenger hunt: “We have never had as many participants as this year,” says Kühnlein happily, about 250 cards have been filled out. “And in the regular competition it should have been around 500 participants.”

An online tour is planned for the coming year

In general, almost anything is made possible by this committed team. When an inclusive group could not come to Ebersberg, the Krippenweg came to her without further ado: Warg organized a guided tour by video conference for the first time for the open handicapped work of the AWO Markt Schwaben. An idea that will probably catch on: Peter Kraume, who is responsible for the online presence of the Krippenweg, would like to record an online tour with Warg in the coming year and make it available as a video. “That means we photograph and film selected cribs and Thomas comments, just as he does on his tours. This was very well received at AWO Markt Schwaben.”

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Success can also be measured digitally

It is particularly nice that the Ebersberger Krippenweg has evidently also gained an excellent reputation nationwide: Since all guests of the tours had to be registered, you know where they came from, namely from all over Munich, and even from Abensberg or Landshut. A radio and television report by Bavarian Broadcasting yours will probably have contributed to it. In addition, of course, there are all the people who have explored the 68 cribs unaccompanied. “It’s always the best thing that people are out and about all over town,” says Warg. The success of the Ebersberger Krippenweg can also be measured digitally: “Visits to the website have increased by around 60 percent compared to 2020,” says Kraume, an online specialist. In the social media area, the most important network is now Instagram. “This was where the most interactions took place. Our exhibitors are also most active on this platform, with the most stories and contributions about their own participation in the crib path,” said Kraume. He is already planning an interactive map with pins of all stations and possibly even running routes for the next crib trail.

The success of the nativity scene exhibitions in the windows of the district is no coincidence: Of course, Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus can be seen at every station, but the nativity scenes differ so much in their design that everyone is amazed and amazed for the leaders to tell there. Materials, sizes and cultural and historical backgrounds couldn’t be more diverse. A favorite of adult visitors, for example, were stone crib figures inspired by the art of origami, says Warg. The children, on the other hand, were particularly fascinated by a “true hidden object” with lots of funny details. At this station he always did a little role play and asked: “Who do you want to be?” Maria? Joseph? No, a turtle and a monkey were actually very popular.

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