Hildburghausen (dpa/th) – Wurst-Achim or Aal-Hinnerk: According to their guild, professional barkers have become rare in Germany. After mainly age-related business closures, eight dealers still belonged to the guild of barkers, said their manager Achim Borgschulze of the German Press Agency. “These are the last of the Republic.” About ten years ago there were about 50 to 60 of the noisy traders across Germany who lured people to buy fish, sausage, cheese, pasta and chocolate with loud slogans. “It’s very difficult to get young talent,” said Borgschulze.
The reason for this is that the dealer’s business is strenuous. The presence on the sales platforms is only part of their work. This has become more difficult now in view of high inflation and increased fuel costs. In addition, events in marketplaces, the main source of income for these often small companies, usually take up weekends. “Very few people want to sacrifice that these days.”
The market criers have been stationed in Hildburghausen in southern Thuringia since Thursday. At the start, however, they only received sparse encouragement in rainy weather. According to the guild, five dealers will be on site by Saturday. It is the only market crier station in Thuringia this year. Nordhausen is on the tour schedule for next year, where market crier days are planned for February.
