Financing crisis for Kassel folk festivals: Who helps the volunteers?

Financing crisis for Kassel folk festivals: Who helps the volunteers?

The debate about the financial future of folk festivals in Kassel reaches a critical point. On the occasion of the discussion in the city parliament, it turns out that volunteers are against enormous hurdles that result from increased security requirements. These requirements are a reaction to the increasing threats from potential attacks and acts of violence. Ulrich Freudenstein from the Waldauer Enkirmes support association made it clear that the effort for volunteer associations was no longer wearable. In this context, the SPD has formulated an application of over 100,000 euros per year to promote events that aim to support festivals such as Zissel, neighborhood festivals and carnival events.

City Councilor Wolfgang Decker expressed doubts about the Jamaica coalition's insight into the problems with which the organizers are confronted. Despite the apparently clear demands of the SPD, the groups of Greens, CDU and FDP voted against the application. CDU parliamentary group leader Holger Augustin threw a positive light on the situation and emphasized that Volksfeste continued to take place in Kassel, which is considered success.

The challenge of the security requirements

The discussion about the security situation is not limited to Kassel. In other Hessian cities, too, the cancellation of several festivals had to be complained about due to exorbitant security costs. Among the affected events are the Kinzigtal bike tour and the cherry blossom festival in Marburg. For example, the regulatory office of the Rheingau-Taunus district has canceled an event due to the high demands on the security concepts, which makes the financial burdens clear for the organizers. The Hessian state government then announced an instant program "Security at events" with a budget of one million euros that should support municipalities in security issues if they cooperate.

This situation is further tightened by a general lack of personnel at the police on weekends and public holidays, which makes it more difficult for the organizers to implement the necessary security concepts. Interior Minister Roman Poseck emphasizes that each event must be considered individually, although the requirements often increase enormously. The additional security conditions already mean that numerous festivals are canceled - a problem that is only reinforced by the excessive costs of the security concepts.

claims and reactions

The uncertainty in the financing of events such as the Wehlheider Kirmes, which is due to take place from August 15th to 18th, is another point that is harassed by the organizers. Five volunteers will only be employed there for 150 hours with the assembly and dismantling of bollards, which makes the enormous effort clear to the organizers. Sönke van der Werf from the fair community criticized the lack of support on the part of the city, while at the same time the left and the AfD called for the cancellation of budget funds for security measures. CDU parliamentary group leader Augustin accused the left-wing irresponsibility when she applied for a deletion of 478,000 euros for video surveillance and access protection systems.

In this complex location, it becomes clear that the support of free festivals such as the environmental center is also at risk from the AfD, while the SPD also encounters approval in its project. The topic of financial security and security requirements for folk festivals remains not only in Kassel, but also in all of Hesse a brand new and controversial field of discussion that urgently needs a solution.