Host Nation Update, Feb. 7, 2023
Autobahn A6 near Sinsheim fully closed due to risk of power cable to fall unto roadway
The Autobahn 6 between Sinsheim-Süd and Sinsheim-Steinsfurt (Rhein-Neckar district) will be fully closed in both directions on Tuesday due to risk of a power cable falling unto the roadway. The start of the closure was planned for 12 o’clock. Experts consulted on site with police and Autobahn authorities. A local detour is being set up, according to police. Motorists will be diverted at the two interchanges. Those familiar with the area should drive around it as far as possible. (Stuttgarter Nachrichten, Feb 7, 2023)
Local postal service warning strikes extended – rally in Stuttgart
On Tuesday again, many post office customers in Baden Württemberg were waiting in vain for letters and packages. The trade union Verdi continued its warning strikes. The focus in Baden-Württemberg was on delivery, the union said. According to Verdi, 1500 employees took part in the warning strikes on Monday. For a rally on Tuesday in Stuttgart, the union expected more than 2500 strikers. “We are striking now so that there is a result on February 9 that compensates for the massive financial burden on employees caused by inflation and will take into account the billions in profits of Deutsche Post AG,” said Verdi official Andreas Henze. Already in the past weeks, a total of about 11,000 employees in the country had participated in work stoppages.
The union is asking for a 15 percent raise over a one-year contract. The company refuses, arguing that wage increases cannot be passed on through price increases because the German market is regulated. Negotiations will continue on February 8 and 9. Deutsche Post has already announced an offer. (Stuttgarter Nachrichten, Feb7)
Request in Stuttgart B-14 to be a car-free one Sunday in June
Without any clue at all, but with the necessary emphasis, the eco-social majority in the municipal council of the state capital wants to keep cars off the Bundesstrasse 14 at the end of June. In the context of the Urban Future Conference, there should be a car-free cultural Sunday, which was requested by the Greens, SPD, Left-Alliance. However, the road could only be closed-off if it’s being used for street performances. The federal highway is awaiting reconstruction following an urban planning competition. It is to lose half of the traffic area and ultimately also 50 percent of the traffic. At the end of 2021, the municipal council had allocated money for two car-free Sundays, of which 570,000 euros are still available, according to the parliamentary groups, because there was no event in 2022 due to COVID. The funds that were already approved, will now be used for a climate action day (car free Sunday on Konrad Adenauer Street on B-14), which will probably take place on Sunday, June 25. The parliamentary groups want to vote on their application on February 7. Then a budget package mobility is on the agenda in the administrative committee of the municipal council. (Stuttgarter Nachrichten, Feb 7, 2023)
Carnival, Fasnet, Karneval – These are the dates for the “foolish” season in the Stuttgart and Böblingen area
Schmotziger Donnerstag (Black Thursday) on February 16 marks the beginning of the actual carnival season in the Swabian-Alemannic carnival. Reason enough to storm the town halls in the district and to seize the power over the town hall key.
Böblingen
At 03:29 p.m. things start to become crazy or “närrisch” at the Böblingen market place, when the “green/white” Böblinger carnival club actively storm the city hall and take away the mayor’s key to his office.
Sindelfingen
The carnival club “blue/white Sindelfingen” starts storming the city hall on Thursday, 16 February at 5 p.m., where they first disempower the city administration until “Ash Wednesday” and afterwards a large party takes place in the foyer.
Weil der Stadt
With a triple “Aha”, the Weil der Stadt Fools’ Guild and its guests parade through the old town on Sunday, February 19, starting at 2 pm. Over 60 wagons, groups and music bands move through the city.
Rose Monday – Böblingen
Every year “Grün-Weiß” Böblingen organizes the big Rose Monday parade on 20 February, around the Schlossberg. Almost 70 participating jester groups, clubs and schools offer a colorful and music-rich spectacle on the approximately 1.2 kilometer long parade. Thousands of jesters take part and provide a lot of fun for thousands of spectators. And, of course, there are always plenty of candy for the little ones.
For the warm-up and the end of the parade, the jesters set up the large village of jesters on Elbenplatz, which can accommodate several thousand celebrating visitors. With food, cold and hot drinks, demonstrations and music. See https://gruen-weiss-bb.de
The annual large children’s parade of “Grün-Weiß” Böblingen starts on Tuesday, February 21, at 1:13 p.m. from the Wandelhalle in Böblingen and is the prelude to the children’s carnival in the Congress Hall. With games, stage shows, great music and a huge atmosphere hundreds of kids dance and celebrate there.
The children’s parade of the AHA Weil der Stadt carnival guild on Shrove Tuesday, February 21, is somewhat smaller and cozier, but no less fun. The colorful parade moves from 2 p.m. through the old town.
Shrove Tuesday – down-town Stuttgart (Königstrasse) The Fasching or Carnival parade on Tuesday, Feb 21 is one of Stuttgart’s largest city events. It offers a good opportunity to attend the parade from approx. 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
(Stuttgarter Nachrichten, Feb 2)