The Covid-19 pandemic has changed a lot for our project in 2020. Most events, that we participate in every year, have been cancelled.
This includes for example the spring market in Rödelsee, the so-called Kirschbütenmarkt (cherry-blossom market) in Markt Einersheim and the “Kirchweih” in Iphofen. Some important sources of revenue, which we usually can rely on year after year, have thus disappeared.
Earlier this year the question we had to ask ourselves, whether the pandemic would also affect our event Sri Lanka Flair 2020. As the situation could change very quickly, we didn’t have the luxury of planning ahead, so we had to wait and see. Should we reschedule or change location? Would we really have to cancel? What regulations would come into effect? The Bavarian state government should soon give us answers.
We had to stay up to date and see, whether we were able to implement the regulations given in the field of gastronomy. The hygienic handling of food has always been a matter of course for us, but what would be added now? After a clarifying telephone conversation with the District Office, we were able to create and submit a concept for the event. Everything had to be thought of: starting with the social distance regulations, face masks for our guests and helpers, disinfectant dispensers and partition walls we also had to prepare a fixed guest list.
Only on the 18th of June did we finally receive the approval for our event, which was to take place ten days later on 28th of June. Tickets had to be sold, helpers planned, drinks ordered, food and fresh vegetables bought, and a seating plan drawn up. This is where it got interesting. The first change, which had been decided after the last Sri Lanka Day in 2019, was the advanced sale of tickets. Our goal was to be better prepared with the fixed number of guests at hand, because it had been difficult every year to estimate for how many guests we would have to cook for.
This year the Sri Lanka Day should be a whole new experience, both for our guests and for each of our helpers. Nevertheless, we decided to make a plan and go ahead with it. The morning of the 28.06.20, however, looked really dark. In the truest sense of the word, as suddenly thick clouds hung over the Gamm Winery, where our event took place and it started pouring down. Although we could have accommodated our guests inside, it is of course nicer to sit outside. Fortunately, the sunshine came back on time. At 12.00 o'clock we could open the buffet. But everything was just a little bit different than usual.
This year our guests could not go to the buffet as it should have been, but each table had to be led individually to the buffet, so that the distance regulations could be kept. Therefore, it took a bit longer until every guest had something to eat. At this point we would like to thank our guests for their patience and understanding. Even though everything took a little longer than expected, everyone kept to the hygiene and distance regulations. It was simply great how everything worked out. Arriving at the buffet, each guest was then taken care of individually by our young buffet team, who also behaved very professionally. As every year, the buffet was incredibly varied and was praised from all sides. Here again a big thank you to all the hard-working hands who, despite difficult conditions and incredible heat, peeled, sliced and cooked for two days straight.
Many thanks to all helpers and to Christian and Karin, who made their winery available to us for the event and of course, as every year, also actively supported us in the process. The entire Dedunu team has shown that they can work together harmoniously and successfully even under difficult conditions. We could see how well everything worked out, from the feedback of our guests. For us there is nothing better than a goodbye connected with a request for notification of next year's event.
In addition to the profits from the event, two excursions for the children were donated. This is something that does not only make us happy but is also greatly appreciated by the kids. In addition, we could also advertise the godparent ship in our project. The search for solutions and new possibilities leads to success – a motto our Sri Lanka Flair 2020 has proven to be right.
After this completely successful event we are looking forward to the Sri Lanka Flair 2021.
Werner Müller
Chairman
