Germany: 1.5 Million Visitors Attended Jubilee Libori Festival

“I am extremely grateful for this safe and peaceful Libori Festival,” said Paderborn’s Mayor Michael Dreier. Around 1.5 million people had visited this year’s festival, taking place over nine days in the cathedral city, and experienced the unique mix of church, funfair and culture. At the end of the 500^th Libori anniversary, Albert Ritter, President of the European Showmen’s Union (ESU) and the German Showmen’s Association (DSB), signed the Golden Book of the City of Paderborn. Together with Hans-Otto Bröckling, Chairman of the Paderborn Showmen’s Association, and Petra Wiedig, spokeswoman of the Libori Market advertising and interest group, Ritter was received by Mayor Michael Dreier in the historic town hall.

“The fact that more than a million people flock to Libori in our city year after year is also thanks to them. They all do their bit to ensure that colourful fair goings-on make for happy faces in all age groups. Especially in uneasy times like these, funfairs are not only a place to meet, but also for diversion, entertainment and joy,” said Dreier.

In his greeting, Albert Ritter referred to the close connection that has existed for centuries between showmen, funfairs and the church, which also characterises the Libori Festival in particular. He summed up the importance of what showmen and market traders do in their profession with a quote from Pope Francis: “Showmen bring light into the darkness of the world!” Hans-Otto Bröckling also expressed his pride and gratitude for the invitation to sign the city’s Golden Book. “We hope to continue to live up to this claim in the future,” said Bröckling. (eap)