Joyful Children Entertainment by Isolated St. Martin
In the heart of Derendorf, the annual St. Martin procession took a unique turn this year, transforming into a "St. Martin Drive-Through" to ensure safety during the Corona pandemic.
Despite the changes, the event was met with overwhelming positivity from both children and the community. Martin Meyer, the leader of Derendorfer Jonges, the local association organising the procession, expressed his gratitude to the city and the police for making the festival possible.
St. Martin Nick Eulenberg, the person dressed as St. Martin on horseback, was delighted to see children laughing and enjoying the procession. He noted that everyone seemed happy about St. Martin's visit, a sentiment shared by Martin Meyer.
The procession, which included St. Martin, Michael Riemer (the beggar), five stewards, and a police car, moved along the Römerstraße. They visited schools and kindergartens in the neighbourhood, waving to children gathered in small groups on playgrounds or showing their lanterns at windows.
Martin Meyer, the leader of Derendorfer Jonges, acknowledged that the event was a "little St. Martin's festival" compared to the traditional parade. However, he emphasised his desire to keep the St. Martin's parade tradition alive. This year, the Weckmann, a traditional lantern, was donated as part of the procession. In every year, Derendorfer Jonges donate a Weckmann to schools and kindergartens.
Usually, up to 2000 children and adults would participate in the traditional St. Martin's parade. However, this year, participants maintained prescribed distances to adhere to safety measures. Despite the reduced numbers, the children seemed very happy during the procession, according to Martin Meyer.
St. Martin Nick Eulenberg and Martin Meyer both expressed positive feelings about the adapted St. Martin procession, appreciating the efforts made to ensure the tradition could continue under challenging circumstances. The community valued the safe alternative, maintaining a sense of connection and festivity during the pandemic.
The event, although transformed into a drive-through format, still managed to bring a sense of joy and tradition into the home-and-garden lives of the neighborhood's residents as St. Martin rode through the Römerstraße. Derendorfer Jonges, the organizers, aimed to keep the St. Martin's parade tradition alive, even in this modified, less crowded format, and did so with the donation of a Weckmann, a traditional lantern.
