ruth901
Thrills in Wiesbaden: A few weeks before the big festival in Fulda, the Hessentag couple Vera and Max Dudyka made a special appearance in the state parliament.
Fulda – Vera and Max Dudyka are now the longest-serving representatives of the state festival – six years of waiting because of the pandemic are leaving their mark. No wonder that the Fulda Hessentag couple 2026 is now used to commuting between photo ops, ceremonies and official appearances. But even for the two of them, the visit to the Wiesbaden state parliament was not an appointment like any other.
Big appearance for Hessentag couple Vera and Max Dudyka
In the heart of Hessian democracy there were not only handshakes and group photos waiting, but also two of the most important faces in the state: Prime Minister Boris Rhein and State Parliament President Astrid Wallmann (both CDU) attended the Fulda couple and Fulda's mayor Dr. Heiko Wingenfeld (also CDU) was personally welcomed – including a tour of the venerable rooms of the city palace, where state politics are usually made instead of anticipation Hesse day is celebrated.
Wallmann wished the two of them great encounters at the upcoming state festival and found clear words for the two's volunteer work: “The Hessentag couple is taking on a special volunteer position that requires a lot of personal commitment.” The long wait for the big event in Fulda was worth it.
It definitely felt very big and special to speak in the state parliament.
And indeed: Anyone who has seen Vera and Max Dudyka in the past few months has had the impression that the city of Fulda has long since started its state festival. Whether at the Hetawu tasting, during the challenge runat the construction trade fair or one of the countless official events – the two have been bringing Hessentag atmosphere to the region for months. But then came the moment that made even the experienced Hessentag ambassadors swallow briefly: the speech in the plenary hall.
Shortly before the state parliament debated agriculture, transport packages and housing support, the stage belonged to the Dudykas. “It definitely felt very big and special to speak in the state parliament,” says the 35-year-old afterwards. “10 out of 10,” says Max Dudyka with a laugh when asked how nervous he was. The previous encounters with Rhein and Wallmann had helped, “but when you sit in the plenary session and look around and are really examined from all sides, then the nervousness naturally increases,” says Vera Dudyka.
And yet: It was precisely this mixture of respect, pride and genuine joy that made the performance special. In their speech, the two didn't just talk about Hessentag – they told their story. A pretty Hessian story, by the way: There's Max, for example, who was there as a baby at the Hessentag in Fulda in 1990. Or Vera, who later worked as a police officer and even helped secure the state parliament at a meeting. “I only really became aware of it there,” she says. “That I used to stand in front of the state parliament for hours – and now I’m suddenly speaking in the plenary session myself.”
During the performance, the couple showed attitude, humor and love of their homeland – and their connection to the state and society: she as a former police officer in the Rhine-Main area, he as a former mountain soldier in the Bundeswehr. Or as Vera puts it: “Our message was: We stand for the constitution, for humanity. We want to be approachable and authentic.”
No Hetawu, but Hessentag cookies as a gift
The fact that this message was received was evidently clearly felt in the plenary hall. “We were incredibly warmly welcomed,” she says. “So much applause, so many friendly faces.” Both felt that they were special guests that day. Would they perhaps have distributed Hessentagswurst or apple schnapps as gifts for the elected officials? Vera Dudyka laughs.
“That might have been a good fit. But we gave us Hessentag cookies, autograph cards, pads and ballpoint pens“ – after all, the subsequent plenary session, including debates about transport packages and housing support, should still be fairly focused.
During the meeting, Fulda's Mayor Wingenfeld also recalled the importance of Hessentag as a community-building experience – in keeping with the legendary sentence of the former Prime Minister and Hessentag father Georg-August Zinn (SPD): “Hesse is whoever wants to be Hesse.” For Fulda, the state festival represents a wonderful opportunity to “present ourselves to the people of Hesse and beyond as a host in which a connection to tradition is combined with innovative strength.”
Prime Minister Rhine was also enthusiastic. The Hessentag couple embody “openness, cohesion and lived diversity” and give the state festival “a friendly face”. Under the motto “Foll Hessisch”, Fulda will offer a festival of short distances with almost 1,200 free eventshe reminded.
And Vera Dudyka's conclusion: “Even if you are so excited – this appearance in the plenary session was simply something very special.” This appointment in the state parliament really increased the anticipation. “Now you really notice: We are really bringing a state festival to your own city.”
