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50 years of the Wieden Mining Association: A successful project is celebrating its anniversary!
Wieden celebrates 50 years of the miners' association with a festive St. Barbara's celebration and honors the successes of the show mine.
50 years of the Wieden Mining Association: A successful project is celebrating its anniversary!
On November 24, 2025, a very special anniversary was celebrated in Wieden: The Wieden Miners' Association is celebrating its 50th anniversary. The celebrations took place as part of the traditional St. Barbara celebration, dedicated to St. Barbara - the patron saint of miners, known for her courageous and legal advocacy. Loud Black Forest messenger The festive evening began with a service in the All Saints Church, at which numerous members of the mining community also came together. The service ended as usual with the St. Barbara prayer and was followed by a celebration at which the miners appeared in full traditional costume.
The guests of honor, including District Administrator Marion Dammann and Mayor Michael Fischer, recognized the association's significant achievements in their speeches. Board member Martin Wietzel recalled the initial skepticism when implementing the “show mine” project. “Out of this uncertainty, a lasting successful project emerged,” he said, referring to the opening of the visitor mine, which took place on August 21, 1982. The Wieden men's choir and the miners' band provided the musical accompaniment to the evening of honor. Wikipedia describes the St. Barbara celebration as a centuries-old tradition that is celebrated in many mountain areas and began in the second half of the 18th century.
A look into the history of the club
The Wieden Miners' Association was founded on March 1, 1975 with a narrow majority of 12 out of 22 votes. Its goal is to keep Wieden's mining history alive and preserve the region's cultural heritage. In the last five decades, the association has achieved great things, especially in the preservation of monuments and local history. Particular attention is paid to Saint Barbara, who is seen not only as the patron saint of active miners, but also as part of the region's cultural identity. Loud Miningmuseum.de The veneration of Saint Barbara is anchored in many mining regions. From sacred art to everyday objects, it is celebrated in numerous depictions, underscoring its enduring importance.
The St. Barbara celebration as it is celebrated today has changed over the years in many regions. Traditional celebrations include a festive procession to church, followed by an evening of celebration where the focus is on social gatherings. In the past, miners in certain regions were required by law to attend church. This reflects the celebration's deep roots in mining culture. In addition to the speeches and the banquet, which often consists of bread, sausage and beer, many celebrants also give those around them St. Barbara's branches, which are said to symbolically bring good luck.
The celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Wieden Miners' Association once again showed how important the preservation of traditions is for the feeling of togetherness within the mining community. With a successful evening full of music, memories and honors, the club was also visited by old friends and former colleagues who appreciated the treasures of the times we had survived together.