Host Nation Update, December 12, 2024
New Year’s Eve – Customs office warns of dangers when buying fireworks
People in Baden-Württemberg should be careful when buying fireworks. Fireworks of unknown origin or with poor workmanship can have life-threatening consequences, according to the main customs office in Heilbronn. The spokesperson for the main customs office said: “If you don’t want to endanger yourself or others and also don’t want to face any unpleasant criminal consequences, you should stay away from unauthorized fireworks.” Customs therefore urgently advised people to only buy fireworks that have been assessed for conformity and bear the CE mark. It should also be noted that a special explosives permit is required for certain fireworks. (Stuttgarter Nachrichten, Dec 12,24)
Tips for the weekend – From cheerful and festive to funky and cheeky
Christmas is just less than two weeks away. The inevitably approaching date is also reflected in the calendar of events. On Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Maichingen between the Laurentius Church and the community center and in the old town center of Waldenbuch from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. two beautiful Christmas markets invite you to stroll around and enjoy a cozy get-together. In Altdorf, the Christmas market takes place on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. around the town hall.
If you want to get in the mood for Advent musically and prefer something more contemplative, there is a wide selection to choose from. The Aurelius Boys’ Choir Calw will be singing in St. Vitus Church in Gärtringen on Saturday at 7 pm. The International Baroque Orchestra of the Academy for Early Music in Baden-Württemberg will have two Christmas concerts: on Saturday at 6 pm in the Festhalle in Altdorf and on Sunday in the Paul Gerhardt Church in Böblingen. “Jazz in Advent” is on offer on Saturday at 7.30 pm at the Böblingen music school, where two bands; the “Jazzconnection” and “Unlocked” will play. “Swinging Christmas” is the name of the game on Saturday and Sunday at 6 pm in the Martinskirche in Sindelfingen, when Johann Sebastian Bach’s ‘Christmas Oratorio’ meets the impulsive ‘Misa a Buenos Aires’ by Argentinian tango composer Martín Palmeri. Cheers to the piano man Bud Powell’s “Jazztime” will be the focus on Friday, December 13, at 8 pm in the Sparkassen-Forum. The US musician, who died in 1966, is regarded as a pioneer of modern jazz piano. State Jazz Prize winner Anne Czichowsky will be singing. The weekend also promises to be less festive and more groovy and cheeky at the Sindelfingen Pavilion. On Saturday, IG Kultur will be hosting the regional bands “Betreutes Üben” and “Keine Schönheit” with rock and pop covers as part of its Rocknight series from 8 pm. (Stgt Nachrichten, Dec 12, 24)
Weather in Baden-Württemberg
Snow on the mountains? First ski lifts start again
“Resi is starting up again.” This is the message that the Feldbergbahn operators published online on Wednesday afternoon. The ski lift operator plans to start skiing on Thursday. Specifically, the two Resi I and Förderband I lifts are set to reopen for winter sports fans. So, they can get their ski jackets, snowboards and helmets out of the basements or their wardrobe in Baden-Württemberg. However, this is probably not yet the big kick-off for winter sports in Baden-Württemberg. Weather experts are still cautious. The German Weather Service (DWD) recorded five centimeters of fresh snow on the Feldberg on Wednesday morning. “This is not yet a real onset of winter,” explains meteorologist Christian Ehmann. “We have a high-pressure weather situation and fog in many places in Baden-Württemberg,” he explains. Only at particularly high altitudes – for example on the Feldberg – should it clear up on Thursday. At least on Friday, Baden-Württemberg will probably get some real sunshine, according to the forecast. “At the weekend, snowfall is expected at higher altitudes and rain at lower altitudes,” announces Ehmann. Some snowy walks will probably be possible in parts of the state, but skiing will probably only be possible at very high altitudes or after the use of snow cannons, according to Ehmann. (SN, Dec 12, 24)