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Neighborhood fireworks: Bautzen celebrates a reunification street party!
A street festival in Bautzen on June 21st strengthens the sense of community on Tuchmacherstrasse after a long period of isolation.
Neighborhood fireworks: Bautzen celebrates a reunification street party!
Tuchmacherstrasse in Bautzen will be the scene of a special street festival on June 21st, which is intended to bring neighbors together and strengthen the sense of community. The history of this initiative goes back a year, when a Neu-Bautzen resident explored the neighborhood and noticed that the residents mainly lived next to each other. Inspired by their observations and the desire for more togetherness, the idea for a celebration by neighbors for neighbors was born. Aileen Böhm and Khalid Butt join the organizational team to prepare and design the event, reports Sächsische.
Khalid Butt, restaurateur at the “Shalimar” restaurant, has vivid memories of earlier times on Tuchmacherstrasse, which today appears deserted between McPaper and Smolerscher Verlagsbuchhandlung, despite the diverse range of shops. The festival aims to revitalize the charm of the neighborhood. Supported by the Bautzen city center association, the festival is financially supported by the city of Bautzen's participatory budget, which provides up to 20,000 euros annually for projects of this type. Mayor Karsten Vogt encourages citizens to submit their own ideas for positive change in the city, as can be read on the city's website.
Program and activities on the festival day
On the day of the festival, Tuchmacherstrasse between Tagwerk and the bookstore will be closed from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Visitors can look forward to a colorful program: beer tables are available for a take-away buffet, and guests are invited to bring a coffee setting. In addition to social chats, there will be an open choir rehearsal, a flea market, textile printing and musical performances. The festival not only aims to bring people together, but also to present and promote what the street has to offer.
A notable aspect of the festival is its connection to the tradition of neighborhood festivals celebrated around the world, inspired by the French “Fête des Voisins”. A similar festival took place in 2006 after Tuchmacherstrasse was asphalted, but it remained the only one of its kind.
Participatory budgeting as a motor for local projects
Another success of the Bautzen participatory budget is reflected in this initiative. Numerous projects have already been implemented in 2023, such as a book cell at the pilgrim rest and a children's program for the neighborhood festival in Oberkaina. Participatory budgeting enables residents to actively shape their city. Applications for financing your own projects can be submitted until January 31, 2024, as the city of Bautzen website explains.
The event on June 21st is intended not only to bring neighbors together, but also to send a strong signal to the community and celebrate the diversity of life on Tuchmacherstrasse. The invitation to everyone is clear: Come along and get involved - we'll celebrate together!