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Stoppelmarkt Vechta: Committed to tradition, but without animal trade!
In 2025, the Stoppelmarkt in Vechta will celebrate without animal trade for the first time. Traditional animal show and new attractions expect 800,000 visitors.
Stoppelmarkt Vechta: Committed to tradition, but without animal trade!
Today a folk festival begins in Vechta with a very special twist. The 2023 Stubble Market will be held for the first time without the traditional animal trade, a change that significantly alters the centuries-old festival. Interest in livestock trading has decreased in recent years, and the number of suppliers has also decreased. In order to take the tradition into account, the city is organizing an animal show for the first time, which will take place on Monday on the site of the previous horse and livestock market. Breeders show their best animals here, and there are numerous participations from clubs and groups from Vechta and the surrounding area. The veterinary office and the market administration have taken control of compliance with animal welfare rules in order to ensure the welfare of the animals.
Visitors can look forward to a pony carousel that is specially designed for the youngest children. Although this attraction is controversial - the animal rights organization PETA describes it as an animal cruelty attraction - the city assures that animal welfare is guaranteed through regular checks and sufficient exercise for the ponies. Because of the high temperatures, the pony carousel doesn't start until Friday.
Traditional folk festival in transition
The Stoppelmarkt, one of the oldest and most popular folk festivals in Lower Saxony, looks back on over 725 years of history. Every year the festival attracts around 800,000 visitors and offers a colorful program with hundreds of showmen. This year the stubble market will take place from August 14th to 19th. There will be an honorary guest speaker at the festival: Silvia Breher (CDU), the designated Federal Animal Welfare Commissioner, is expected to open the market and will certainly be interested in the newly introduced aspects of the festival.
The disappearance of the animal trade at the stubble market is a sign of the times. The organizers and citizens agree that the festival needs to be modernized in order to remain attractive in the future. Returning to ancient roots through animal shows could help restore a connection to tradition, as long as all aspects of animal welfare are strictly adhered to.
What will happen next with the attractiveness of the stubble market? In 2023 there is an opportunity to reorient ourselves and perhaps create new traditions that honor the old ones while meeting contemporary demands. Stay tuned to see how the festival unfolds!