Jamel rocks the forester: Festival as a meeting on the test bench!

Jamel rocks the forester: Festival as a meeting on the test bench!

Music lovers can look forward to a highlight next summer: the “Jamel rocks den Förster” festival, known for its fight against right-wing extremism, has made plans again. The organizers, the married couple Birgit and Horst Lohmeyer, have officially registered the meeting with the district of Northwest Mecklenburg. The event will take place from August 11th to 28th and will hope to set an example for tolerance and democracy.

However, the Lohmeyers face a big challenge. For the first time, the municipality of Gägelow introduced a usage fee of 7,870 euros for the required space, while an urgent application against this was rejected by the Schwerin Administrative Court. The court argued that paying the amount would not impose a significant burden on the association. So it remains to be seen to what extent this circumstance will affect the course of the festival. The timing of a final decision by the district regarding the assessment of the event as a meeting is currently still unclear.

Concerns and expectations

Mayor Lars Prahler expressed concerns that the festival's 18-day duration could make it difficult to classify the event as a gathering. “That could complicate the legal framework,” says Prahler. Nevertheless, the festival remains an important event in the region that has been well received in the past. In 2024, the event sold out in just half an hour.

Although the details of the bands performing and the ticket prices are not yet known, fans are already optimistic about the event. In recent years, well-known names such as Die Ärzte and Die Toten Hosen have appeared at the festival, which has certainly contributed to the event's great popularity.

A festival with an important message

The Lohmeyers are committed to combating right-wing extremism, a goal that is particularly relevant given the developments in the region. The Office for the Protection of the Constitution has repeatedly pointed out the danger of right-wing extremist groups that are active in Germany and also publicly display their views. Events like “Jamel rocks the forester” therefore play a central role in setting an example for diversity and against discrimination. The noticeable exclusion by right-wing extremist groups shows how important it is to promote cohesion and tolerance, especially in regions that are considered strongholds of such views.

The Lohmeyers have not yet been available to comment on the current developments. It remains exciting to see how the situation will develop in the coming weeks and whether the festival can ultimately take place as planned. One thing is certain: spectators and participants expect a celebration of joy of life and resistance to intolerance.