Jamel rocks: 25,000 fans want to go to the festival – only 3,500 tickets!

Jamel rocks: 25,000 fans want to go to the festival – only 3,500 tickets!

A festival of music and messages: The “Jamel rocks the forester” festival casts its shadows ahead. The event, which takes place on August 22nd and 23rd in Gägelow in the Northwest Mecklenburg district, is very popular. Almost 25,000 people applied for one of the 3,500 tickets that were raffled off in a lottery. A real sign against right-wing structures on site and a platform for unprejudiced music and culture.

Horst and Birgit Lohmeyer, the organizers of the festival, have experienced again and again in recent years what it means to advocate for open cooperation. In 2015, their barn burned down due to hostile action. Since 2007, they have been using the festival to defend themselves against right-wing extremist tendencies in their home village, which only has fewer than 40 inhabitants. With artists like Herbert Grönemeyer, Die Toten Hosen and the Fantastischen Vier, they not only set musical accents, but also socio-political statements.

A mysterious line-up

What's special about this edition of the festival is the anticipation of the announced headliners, whose identities have not yet been revealed. Shortly before the festival, the Lohmeyers stayed in the background and didn't comment further. Nevertheless, the expectations are high and the anticipation among the fans is palpable, because the musical diversity and the extraordinary atmosphere are guaranteed highlights.

The preparation itself also brings with it some challenges. The district imposed conditions that led to a legal dispute before the Higher Administrative Court in Greifswald. In order to avoid the user fees, the festival registered the event as a meeting, which was legally controversial.

Make a mark

At a time when more and more people are committed to an open society, the festival has not only musical but also social value. It is an appeal to the community to stand up for cohesion and against discrimination. With their commitment, the Lohmeyers have sent a signal that extends far beyond the borders of their small village.

Tickets for this special event are sold out and anticipation is growing for an unforgettable weekend. It remains to be seen whether there will be a return to the festival's roots or whether new musical highlights will be set. But one thing is certain: the best is yet to come with “Jamel rocks the forester”!

To learn more about the meaning of the name “Jamel,” one can take a look at its Arabic roots. Jamel is a form of Jamal, which means “beauty.” Even though the name has fallen in popularity in recent years, it remains an interesting aspect that plays a role in the festival. Jamel could also be seen as a symbol of the diversity of the music and cultural scene.