Financial worries! Bad Langensalza is fighting for the 2026 Medieval Festival

Financial worries! Bad Langensalza is fighting for the 2026 Medieval Festival

Signs point to change in the picturesque spa town of Bad Langensalza. The city administration is faced with financial difficulties, which primarily affect the organization of traditional festivals. Mayor Matthias Reinz makes no secret of his concern and is looking for new ideas and support for the upcoming medieval city festival next year. A particularly interesting aspect is the collection of suggestions and criticism that was put on a 30 meter long roll of paper at the last festival. MDR reports that the suggestions from the population are of great importance for future planning.

How popular the medieval city festival is is reflected not only in the number of visitors, but also in the lively participation of citizens. Despite these positive aspects, Mayor Reinz had to realize in advance that the response to his requests for support from the city's associations was rather modest. Only ten responses were received, which could possibly be due to outdated contact details. A revision of the association register is therefore urgently necessary.

Reinz is optimistic about the future and plans to stand in the ticket booth with his wife, without pay, in order to set a good example. He wants to mobilize citizens, clubs, institutions and entrepreneurs to fight together for the festival. Some city councilors have already pledged their support. In September, the mayor will launch a call for volunteers to participate in the 2026 festival and is hoping for numerous supporters.

Looking for sponsors and donations

One of the central measures to save the medieval city festival will be the search for sponsors and the collection of donations. A specific proposal on the attached paper roll requires the city leadership that the city administration manager, the mayor and the spa director each contribute 1,000 euros per year of service. This would save the city a total of 58,000 euros. The momentum that these measures could create could be the key to a successful fix in 2026.

Strengthen volunteerism

In the context of striving for support, the German Foundation for Commitment and Volunteering also plays an important role. This actively promotes voluntary initiatives and supports their development through various programs. For example, the “transform_D” program offers organizations that want to strengthen social cohesion the opportunity to apply for funding. There is also the “FuturE” qualification program, which trains aspiring managers in voluntary work. This shows that the connection between volunteer work and financial support offers should not be underestimated. Further information on this is available on the website of the German Foundation for Commitment and Volunteering.

The medieval town festival is very important in Bad Langensalza - a place known for its flourishing culture. However, ensuring this event takes place requires a strong community. It remains to be seen whether the planned measures, from the search for sponsors to better coordination of volunteers, will bring about the hoped-for turnaround.

Further information and details about the festive program can be found on the [website of the city of Bad Langensalza](https://badlangensalza.de/kur-tourismus/planen-buchen/veranstaltungen/ Veranstaltungshighlights/mittelalterstadtfest/).