Hessentag in Fulda: Thousands of Visitors Enjoy Sunny Second Day

Program on the Second Festival Day

One of the highlights of the second day was the musical gala at the Domplatz, which was sold out with around 7,000 visitors and was very well received. Numerous visitors were also interested in the AI experience world at the Hessentag. According to the city, a breakdancing competition in the afternoon was likely to be a crowd-puller, especially for younger audiences.

In the Spirit of Volunteer Service

The first Saturday of the Hessentag traditionally stands in the spirit of volunteer service („Tag der ehrenamtlichen Einsatzkräfte“). Boris Rhein (CDU) and Roman Poseck (CDU) thanked the approximately 80,000 volunteer firefighters and helpers from relief organizations in the state for their service. Rhein particularly honored the often invisible aspects of this commitment: „Was wir oft nicht sehen, sind die Jahre der Ausbildung, die unzähligen Übungsstunden, die Nächte ohne Schlaf und die Bereitschaft, sich zu jeder Tages- und Nachtzeit aufzumachen, um zu helfen."

Poseck declared: „Die Frauen und Männer im Brand- und Katastrophenschutz leisten einen unverzichtbaren Beitrag für die Sicherheit in unserem Land. Sie helfen Menschen in schwierigen Situationen, übernehmen Verantwortung für ihre Mitmenschen und stehen bereit, wenn andere Unterstützung brauchen." Benedikt Kuhn, head of the Hessian State Chancellery, also campaigned for volunteer engagement. He pointed to the diversity of opportunities: „Ob in den mehr als 7.300 Sportvereinen, in der Nachbarschaftshilfe, bei der Flüchtlingsintegration oder in Kultur- und Sozialprojekten" – volunteer work is carried out everywhere.

Bundeswehr Presence and Protests

Parallel to the festival program, the Bundeswehr also presented itself at the Hessentag, including with a Tornado fighter jet on display. A non-commissioned officer explained to visitors who ensures the aircraft can fly, and soldiers were available to answer questions. Mike Lellinger said: „Ich werde alles gefragt, was unser Job ist, was wir so machen". The Bundeswehr's appearance drew protests: around 40 organizations had called for demonstrations under the motto „Hessentag ohne Militär", including a vigil „Hessentag ohne Militär" with a low three-digit number of participants, as well as an event „Karriereberatung für den Frieden", which according to police drew a low two-digit number of people.

The protest actions initially proceeded peacefully, according to a police spokesperson. „Besondere Vorkommnisse habe es bislang nicht gegeben", it was stated. Critics argued that the Bundeswehr is not a normal employer and trivializes potential dangers.

Overall, the city drew a positive interim balance on the second day. Looking ahead to the rest of the weekend and the sold-out Roland Kaiser performance in the evening, the city expected visitor numbers to continue rising. Through its conclusion on June 21, the Hessentag offers a broad program of concerts, hands-on activities, information, and culture – with free admission, according to the organizers.