At the end of his term of office and at the invitation of Saarpfalz-Touristik, District Administrator Dr Theophil Gallo set off on another hike along the Ritter-Bolch circular trail around the golden village of Bliesmengen-Bolchen. More than 50 hikers joined him in perfect weather, including the district councillor and member of the Bundestag Esra Limbacher, the future district administrator Frank John, mayor Maria Vermeulen, local head Timm Braun and other political representatives from the state, district, municipal and local councils. The starting and finishing point was the festival site behind the festival hall, which ended at the "Vochelheisje" organised by the Bliesmengen-Bolchen nature and bird protection association. The cheerful group of hikers made the most of the sunny morning to enjoy the beautiful surroundings, nature and company and to socialise. Stops included the sequoia trees and the Fährmannsbrücke bridge. On the bridge over the Blies, which connects Bliesmengen-Bolchen with the neighbouring French town of Bliesschweyen, Dr. Gerhard Ermischer, Vice President of the European Ramblers' Association, presented the official certificate for the Bliessteig's "Leading Quality Trails - Best of Europe" award in the presence of Roland Roth, President of the Sarreguemines Confluences association of municipalities.
District Administrator Dr Theophil Gallo was delighted with the positive response to this event. "Once again, this is a wonderful opportunity for citizens to exchange ideas with me and my successor Frank John, among others. This is what we are here for and we will continue this series of walks in the remaining municipalities," emphasised the District Administrator in his warm welcome. As a gesture of farewell and thanks, he presented the community of Mandelbachtal with a bench on behalf of the Saarpfalz district, which symbolically creates even more space for an open and diverse society and stands against all forms of racism and marginalisation. This bench was created and built as part of the Saarpfalz district's Partnership for Democracy in the federal "Live Democracy!" programme.
District Administrator Dr Gallo thanked Saarpfalz-Touristik and the team led by local head Timm Braun for organising the hike as well as all those involved in catering for the guests.