The HSZG took part in the "Day of the Saxons" parade on September 3rd and met many interested spectators.
It was exciting, it was wet - and yet always full of atmosphere. Last Sunday, September 3rd, the three-day "Day of the Saxons" festival in Löbau came to an end with a traditional parade. The Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences also presented itself within the cityscape around Zittau, which this year was under the patronage of the association "TuZZ - Tradition und Zukunft Zittau e. V." and the "Hochschulsportgemeinschaft Turbine Zittau e. V.".
At times, it felt like the sky had all the rain clouds it could muster. Nevertheless, the "university parade delegation" set off for Löbau in good spirits and on time at 10:00 a.m. in the HSZG bus, which was well worth seeing. Closed off to visitors, a vignette gave us access to the parade stands, where we lined up at picture number 104 - right between the Zittau city sports float and the Grüna local history association. This traditional association came up with an impressive white and green airship, which towered high above the heads of the participants and offered at least partial protection from the rain. We were therefore in the best of company with these 'eye-catchers' and set about setting up our university advertising media.
After various rain showers, the tension rose at 1 p.m. when the parade with a total of over 3,000 participants set off. "It might take a while," Kevin Mühlan quickly realized. The student assistant at the Public Relations Office had a hotline to friends in the city center via cell phone, who were able to tell us which float was passing by. After more than 100 floats, we set off at around 2 p.m. as the weather improved, proudly carrying our banners and flags and handing out small giveaways to the spectators.
With our motto 'Naturally Studying' here in beautiful Upper Lusatia, we were not only able to attract the interested glances of the numerous spectators, but also those of Saxony's Prime Minister Tillich as the procession passed by the grandstand. Now we had to put on our best Sunday smiles as we spotted the first cameras from mdr television, which was broadcasting the parade live.
Unfortunately, as we discovered afterwards, the television viewers waited in vain for a picture of the university, because just as the camera was about to capture the university delegation, it switched to an interview with the coach of the Dreiländereck Zittau boxing club on the car in front. In the subsequent television picture, the airship following us lit up brightly. Although this was a pity, it did not detract from the atmosphere on site, nor did it diminish the positive feedback from the spectators who cheered on the HSZG participants at the roadside.
According to official figures, the "Day of the Saxons" attracted more than 250,000 visitors to Löbau. The organizers and visitors summed up a successful festival, in which the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences was also very happy to participate.
A big thank you goes to all those involved in the preparations and on site. In addition to the staff from the Rectorate and the university administration, this applies in particular to our driver Arne Nowack, the university employees Lisa-Marie Ulbrich and Julia Henschke as well as the StuRa representatives: Stefanie Lehmann, Oliver Kretschmar, Christoph Leichmann and Cindy Henke.
Text: Cornelia Rothe, M.A.
