After a long break due to the coronavirus, things are back on track: Stadtwerke Giessen's "Play your game" campaign supports clubs and organisations that offer young people meaningful exercise opportunities. The youngsters from the Salzböden youth and folk dance group are currently benefiting from this.
Giessen/Lollar-Salzböden. Their performances at the midsummer celebrations, at the Easter fountain or at the Schmadlecker market in Lollar are always a very special highlight: girls and boys aged between seven and 18 perform folk dances. They wear the traditional Marburg Protestant costume. The girls with carved hair, colourful scarves and wide skirts decorated with braids, the boys with the well-known Hessian smocks. The association has been successfully keeping a piece of tradition alive for over 50 years. The children's and youth group was added in 1992. Of the current 17 girls and two boys, some have been dancing together for many years. They have particularly fond memories of their performances at the opening of the Hessentag in Korbach and at the state children's costume meeting in Bad Hersfeld in 2018. The youngsters also demonstrate their acting talent. At the Salzböden carnival, they present sketches as well as dances. Particularly noteworthy: beyond the practice sessions and performances, the young people often spend their free time together - and are proud of the very special sense of community that has developed over time.
"It was precisely this solidarity and commitment to our homeland through the revival of old traditions that particularly impressed our jury. That's why we decided to support the children's and youth group as part of our "Spiel' Dein Spiel" campaign," explains Stephanie Orlik, who is responsible for sponsorship in SWG's marketing department and is in charge of the popular youth development concept.
Motivational boost for the next generation
Lore Klein, the first chairwoman of the Salzböden e.V. youth and folk dance group, had already applied last year. Her wish: softshell jackets for the children and youth group, which would further strengthen the sense of community during joint excursions. "We were happy to make that possible," says Stephanie Orlik. She took care of the high-quality garments in the colour Bordeaux. The embroidery makes them unmistakable - the first name of the dancers wearing them and the "Spiel'-Dein-Spiel" logo on the front, the club's emblem and a couple dancing on the back.
Unfortunately, due to the coronavirus situation, it has not yet been possible to attend the training session. "Because the current figures allow it, we have now made up for the on-site appointment. We are delighted by the commitment of the children and young people and are pleased that we can honour their efforts in this way," explains Stephanie Orlik.
Campaign starts up again
SWG suspended its "Spiel' Dein Spiel" campaign for ten months due to the pandemic. "After this long period, we would now like to once again make a monthly donation in cash or in kind to a deserving group that carries out youth work in line with our campaign," emphasises Stephanie Orlik. Of course, this is subject to the proviso that the infection figures remain stable. SWG accepts applications on its special website: swg-spieldeinspiel.de/bewerben