Kassel folk festival: support under pressure - who can help?

Kassel folk festival: support under pressure - who can help?

On May 10, 2025, in Kassel, the financing of folk festivals will be discussed intensively. This is done in the middle of considerable concerns of volunteers who warn of high security requirements. These requirements are created in response to potential attacks and acts of violence, which above all strain the effort for voluntary organized events.

Ulrich Freudenstein from the Waldauer Enkirmes support association emphasized the intolerable situation that affects the volunteer associations. The SPD application, which in the city parliament aims at 100,000 euros annually to promote folk festivals and events, should in particular offer support for the popular events such as Zissel, neighborhood festivals and carnival events. But not all political factions support this application.

political arguments

city councilor Wolfgang Decker expressed doubts about the knowledge of the Jamaica coalition about the real needs of the organizers. The factions of the Greens, CDU and FDP voted against the SPD application. Holger Augustin, CDU parliamentary group leader, emphasizes that the folk festivals in Kassel continue to take place continuously. This is regarded as a success of urban politics.

Heiko Lehmkuhl, the head of the head, made it clear that the financial resources for the support of the folk festivals are considered sufficient. Nevertheless, Sönke van der Werf from the Kirmesgemeinschaft der TG Wehlheiden expressed concerns about the uncertainty in the financing, especially with regard to the Wehlheider Kirmes, which takes place from August 15th to 18th. Five volunteers will have to spend 150 hours for the assembly and dismantling of the necessary bollards.

security measures and their criticism

The organizers of festivals such as Zissel, Day of the Earth and Waldau Duckirmes demand more support from the city. Empire from the left and AfD come into play that apply for the cancellation of budgetary funds for security measures. For example, the left requires the deletion of 478,000 euros for video surveillance and 413,000 euros for access protection systems. Augustin describes this application as irresponsible.

The interaction of the political factions is interesting. While the SPD application receives support from the left and AfD, the AfD demands the deletion of 40,000 euros for the Umwelthaus association. However, the majority of the city council rejects this application.

Support for volunteers and security concepts

The CDU parliamentary group in the Kassel city council greeted the support for volunteers organized folk festivals. Head of Order Heiko Lehmkuhl informed that the city of Kassel provided free travel protection material. In addition, several vehicles from the regulatory office and the voluntary fire brigades are in use to plan security measures, often in cooperation with the state police and the fire brigade authorities.

for the carnival parade in Kassel, which can take place in other cities despite the cancellation of similar moves, a comprehensive security concept was developed. This was coordinated between the organizers, the Kassel Carnival Societies community, and the security authorities. The city also provides certified shut -off material, such as octagenic and safety claws.

The current developments in Kassel show that the debate about financing and security concepts for folk festivals remains a sensitive and controversial topic that focuses on various interests and positions within urban politics.

More details on the current discussions can be found at hna href = "https://cdu-grauft-kassel.de/die-cdu- fraction-begegruesst-die-diebung-der-stadt-fuer-volksfeste-beicht-beichtichte/"> CDU parliamentary group Kassel and Further information .