The evening began at 9pm outside the Town Hall with speeches by the Mayor Bernard Kern, the Mayor of  neighbouring village Altheim Franz Weinberger, MP for Upper Austria and National Council Member Peter Mayer and finally the President of the Kirchheim  Association Franz Pfeffer.  On conclusion of the speeches and under the leadership of Louis Wenger, some local school children performed a short play.

On the 19^th December 2009 at the Linz State Theatre, the Cultural Village of Europe 2010 opened this years OÖN-Christmas fund-raiser Gala; and for the fifth time the event was organised by director Hans Gessl. This year’s gala was entitled: - "WEIHNACHTSFÜHLIG” And it satisfied all age groups, preferences and taste.

Photograph: Volker Weihbold

On Saturday, 21st November 2009 the traditional Christmas “Einschaltfeier” (Ceremonial Exchange) took place in the City Centre of Ried.   This year’s Christmas tree has been donated by the “Cultural Village of Europe 2010”, Kirchheim im Innkreis.  The ceremonial parade was led by their brass band followed by the Choral Society, the Ladies Golden-Hat Group and other village groups and clubs.  The newly proclaimed Kirchheim Mayor – Bernard Kern officially handed over the tree to Albert Ortig, the long-standing and energetic Mayor of Ried.

Photo: pr-am

In early November 2009 a delegation from Kirchheim im Innkreis - led by their cultural president Franz Pfeffer - travelled to Tommerup (Denmark) the European Village of Culture 2009, to attend the closing conference.  During which, the delegates Brigitte Moser, Gerda Strasser and John Hyndman outlined the program for next year and gave an open invitation for all to visit the beautiful Innviertel of Upper Austria and to take part and enjoy the celebrations as Kirchheim becomes the European Village of Culture 2010.