It is regarded as Erlangen's fifth season and one of the most beautiful folk festivals in Bavaria: the Bergkirchweih. Every year around Whitsun, it attracts thousands to Erlangen under the green canopy of leaves. However, the Bergkirchweih is also affected by general cost increases due to energy price hikes, higher producer prices and personnel costs.

For the Bergkirchweih 2024, the city is calculating on the basis of the actual costs from the previous year - i.e. 2022 - and that is an increase of over 20 percent compared to 2019, the last year of the Kirchweih before Corona. Against this backdrop, Erlangen City Council has decided that these cost increases are to be shared between the city, landlords and showmen.

Investment costs run into the millions

"The billing system is like a service charge settlement between landlord and tenant," explained Erlangen's economic and financial officer Konrad Beugel. The "landlord", the city, lists the costs and charges them to landlords and showmen. In addition, the city does not allocate many cost items at all, such as the personnel costs of the event management or the not inconsiderable investment costs in the grounds. "Bergreferent" and event manager Beugel adds: "And the investment costs in particular run into the millions!"

Subsidy is tripled

The costs incurred during the festival, for example for security services, emergency services and waste and garbage disposal, are allocated and divided up less a municipal subsidy. In view of the cost increases, the city council has decided to increase the municipal subsidy for the running costs from the previous 50,000 euros to 150,000 euros for a period of two years, thus tripling it. At the same time, the showmen's site fees, which have not been increased since 2017, must be adjusted.

For the upcoming Bergkirchweih, the showmen will then have to bear around 246,000 euros of the total costs. This is 45,000 euros more for the showmen than before. Showmen pay space fees according to the type of business and location. In the coming year, 316,000 euros will have to be covered by the participation and space rental fees of the landlords. The costs will be converted proportionately according to the size of the cellars.

"As organizers, we know what we are asking of everyone involved here. The amounts are hefty, but still fair. At least that's our assessment. The costs of a major event have risen enormously recently and will probably continue to do so. That's why the issue of cost development and its control is right at the top of the agenda," says Beugel.