However gloomy November may be, the publication of the annual Saarpfalz Yearbook is sure to make many eyes light up. The presentation of the yearbook, which is published by the Saarpfalz district, is a joyful event that those responsible, above all editorial director Martin Baus, are really looking forward to. If only because they can then de facto hold a whole year's work in their hands. During the presentation, Martin Baus answered the question of how such a yearbook is actually created in an entertaining way. His audience that morning: numerous authors, representatives of local politics, current and former administrative staff, friends of the yearbook, representatives of Ottweiler Druckerei und Verlag GmbH, representatives of the press and, last but not least, District Administrator Frank John. As the host, he welcomed the guests in the large conference room of the Homburg Forum and thanked everyone who had contributed to the creation of the "once again successful almanac", according to the District Administrator, before handing over to the laudator Dr Susanne Nimmesgern. The new women's representative of the Saarpfalz district gave an entertaining and pointed account of the 270-page book and left no doubt that she had read every article in it.
"As a historian and long-time employee of the district administration, I look forward to the publication date of the yearbook every year, which is noticeably research-intensive and always arouses my curiosity. Because I don't come from the Saarpfalz district, but from the Köllertal, but I have learnt to appreciate the region immensely, I always discover things that are completely unknown to me and that is extremely exciting. It is a special honour to be able to present the yearbook in this setting for the first time," said a delighted Dr Susanne Nimmesgern.
The range of topics, which Dr Susanne Nimmesgern was unable to go into in detail, captivated the laudator throughout. For example, the sculptural work of the artist Josef Fromm, who was born in Peppenkum and grew up in Rubenheim and whose works are mainly found in Bavaria, the development of Homburg's Talstrasse from a bumpy sandy track to a shopping mile, the development of the "JOBA" company in Rohrbach, which produced tube radios, music chests and "Tefifones" in the post-war period, the street battle in St. Ingbert in the run-up to the 1955 Saar referendum or the "bathing establishment" on the Blies beach in Bliesmengen-Bolchen. All these stories are part of the publication's diverse potpourri.
This special work, which is now available in bookshops and stationery shops for 7.50 euros, immediately catches the eye: a quite remarkable building is the eye-catcher on the cover: the "Rote Bau am Weiher" or "Maison rouge" or "Bon voisin". Yes, the baroque country house, which was built in Niederwürzbach in 1785/86 on behalf of the Imperial Count von der Leyen family, bears several names.
"I can only recommend the 2026 yearbook to our citizens. Taking the time to immerse yourself in the fascinating stories of our homeland is enriching and brings the past back to life in our memories. Not to mention that the book makes a valuable gift for under the Christmas tree, as it simply harbours literary treasures," says District Administrator Frank John.
The Saarpfalz Yearbook, now in its 22nd edition, thrives on the commitment and creativity of the authors who write articles for it, provide visual material or even contribute ideas and impulses.
These are: Karl Abel, Gordian and Stefanie Baran, Brigitte Bäumler, Martin Baus, M.A., Dr Bernhard Becker, Lothar Bender, Jürgen Beuster, Sandra Brettar, M. A., Hans-Joseph Britz, Renate Demuth, Dr Markus Gestier, Paul Glass, Dr Sabine Göttel, Suse Günther, Dr Bernd Haunfelder, Rosemarie Kappler, Manfred Kelleter, Günther Klahm, Helmut Lambert, Peter Lauer, Martin Luckas, Bernd Luckscheiter, Norbert Müller, Waltraud Pallasch, Nicolas Rubeck, M.A., Dr Jutta Schwan, Arno Soffel, Johannes Stirnemann, Gretel Uhl and Heinz Weinkauf.