Revisit: Pillar of Fruity Delight from the 1970s
In the heart of August, the festival season continues in Stuttgart and the surrounding region with the much-anticipated Cannstatter Volksfest. This year, the event is marked by a significant milestone as the historic Fruchtsäule, a symbol of the festival, has been installed.
Standing tall at 26 meters and weighing six tons, the Fruchtsäule is a spectacle to behold. The fruit column, first built in 1818 for the "Agricultural Festival in Kannstatt", has been a cherished part of the festival's history. This year, Annika Geiger, a 23-year-old trained crane operator, successfully hoisted the Fruchtsäule onto the roof of the info pavilion.
Geiger's job is not typically associated with women, as the crane operation field remains strongly male-dominated. However, she has proven her skills and resilience in this male-dominated environment. Although specific data on the exact number of female crane operators in Germany is not readily available, women like Geiger are notable for challenging this norm.
The current fruit column, in use since 1972, will be replaced with a new one next year, as announced by Dennis Hamann, an organizer. The new Fruchtsäule features a staircase for Maier to climb up and perform fine-tuning. Stefanie Meier, a decorator, designed the new decoration using sunflowers and garlands of pine green, along with oversized apples, pointed cabbage heads, pumpkins, flowers, and sheaves of grain.
As the Wasen (festival area) fills up with tents and attractions for the 179th Cannstatter Volksfest, the historic Fruchtsäule stands as a testament to the festival's rich history and the courage of women like Annika Geiger who continue to break barriers in traditionally male-dominated fields. This year's festival promises to be an exciting celebration of tradition, innovation, and the spirit of Stuttgart and the region.
Annika Geiger's successful hoisting of the Fruchtsäule underscores her determination in breaking barriers in the traditionally male-dominated home-and-garden field, given she is a crane operator. Stefanie Meier, decorator, embraces this spirit of innovation by designing the new Fruchtsäule with a lifestyle touch, incorporating elements like sunflowers, pine green garlands, oversized apples, and pumpkins, symbolizing the fusion of tradition and contemporary trends at the Cannstatter Volksfest.
