Statues made of pumpkin – from Super Mario to Barbie: the traditional pumpkin festival in Ludwigsburg is 'a form of escapism'

The Kürbisausstellung in Ludwigsburg, the world's largest pumpkin festival, showcases over 450,000 pumpkins transformed into sculptures, attracting around 200,000 visitors. This year's theme, 'Let's play', featured creations like a Barbie statue and Super Mario. The festival culminated in the weighing of the largest pumpkin, an 'Atlantic Giant' weighing 986 kg. Visitors enjoyed tasting pumpkin pieces and collecting seeds, emphasizing the festival's cultural significance as a celebration of the pumpkin. Photographer Sergei Stroitelev described the event as a form of escapism, highlighting its joyful atmosphere and connection to European festival culture.