Court decides: Jamel rocks the forester” festival can take place!

Court decides: Jamel rocks the forester” festival can take place!

The planned music event “Jamel rocks the forester” is currently causing a stir in the region, and not without reason. The festival, which was founded in 2007 by the committed Birgit and Horst Lohmeyer, aims to send a clear signal against right-wing radicalism. In a village characterized by neo-Nazis, a powerful cultural statement is to be made on the days of August 22nd and 23rd, 2023. Prominent artists, including Herbert Grönemeyer, the Toten Hosen and the Ärzte, have already enriched the festival with their performances and thus contribute to the visibility of the project. But things are brewing behind the scenes.

There is a legal dispute between the Lohmeyers and the municipality of Gägelow and the district of Northwest Mecklenburg. This year, for the first time, the municipality demanded a rent of 7,870 euros for the festival site, which the Lohmeyers had to challenge with an urgent application to the Schwerin Administrative Court. They demand a contractual clause that ensures reimbursement of the fee in the event of an unlawful declaration. The municipality, on the other hand, insists on signing the contract only on the condition that the Lohmeyers waive a judicial review of the rent and deposit payments.

A festival with a focus on justice

In this tense situation, the courts decided for the Lohmeyers and proved them right. The verdict not only provides relief for the organizers, but also shows how important the festival is in the fight against right-wing extremism. [Spiegel] reports that the event is not just another music festival, but a powerful means of fighting back against the increasing phenomena of right-wing extremism.

Music as resistance – that is the essence of this event. In contrast to many right-wing music festivals, which act as recruitment sites in the right-wing extremist scene and thus contribute to the spread of extremist ideologies, the Jamel Festival strives for integrative values. [The Office for the Protection of the Constitution] emphasizes that right-wing extremist music events are associated with various forms of identity creation and recruitment. These festivals, such as the “Schild & Schwert” festival, have repeatedly made headlines in recent years and show the dangerous developments within the scene.

The meaning of the festival

The Jamel rockt den Förster Festival is not only a musical highlight of the year, but also a necessary space for dialogue against the threatening currents of right-wing extremism. Artists and visitors come together to make a strong statement for diversity and democracy. While other music events sometimes fall into the shadow of extremist ideologies, Jamel remains a place of peaceful gathering and creative exchange despite the challenges.

The Lohmeyers and everyone behind this festival are determined not to let legal hurdles stop them. The upcoming event could not only send a credible signal, but also provide an impulse for other regions to actively defend themselves against a growing right-wing scene. What remains is the anticipation of a festival that could make waves not only musically but also politically.

It will be exciting to see how the situation around the festival will develop and whether it will be able to pursue its important goal despite all the resistance. We keep readers updated!

For further information, read the articles on [ND-Aktuell], [Spiegel] and [Verfassungsschutz].