Festivals 2021 in Hessen | Tropen Tango 2024

for the festivals it is 5 minutes after 12:00. Also for the festivals in Hessen. 42 festivals have come together to make it clear to politics and society that festivals, like hairdressers and airlines, are economically, socially and culturally important pillars of society. Usually organized on a voluntary basis and with a social network.

They relieve the municipalities and society of important work for youth, cooperation and the promotion and maintenance of cultural work.

But their actors: inside, service providers: inside, artists: inside, technicians, small pensions are looking for jobs at the post office, Mac Donald or in the vaccination and test industry in order to survive. Instead of home office and short-time work. In terms of content, they are treated like commercial enterprises and entrepreneurs and thus fall through every grid.

We want to live - like the economy too. We want culture - just like the television channels, radio stations, public broadcasters.

We want failure guarantees - like event organizers.

We want real financial support and not employment programs like social welfare.

We are fed up with politics observing our festival cancellations without taking any action.

We find it particularly reprehensible that most of our festivals are non-profit associations and are not allowed to build up reserves. Commercial organizers, on the other hand, can draw on all the support from the economy and their own reserves.

We finally want adequate programs and support. So that we can keep up with the times.

Because we make the summer sing.

PRESS RELEASE G | May 11, 2021

Creating perspectives and the future for local festivals

Action alliance “Festivals in Hessen” presents position paper “Giving stages a stage”

The organizers of more than 40 Hessian festivals recently joined forces in the “Festivals in Hesse” action alliance to draw the public's attention to their precarious situation and to encourage political discourse. The alliance is strengthened by the support of the Hessian regional association “Live in Hessen” of “LiveKomm”, the association of German music venues.

Regardless of whether they are veterans like the Herzberg Festival, which has existed since 1968, or new events such as the Marburg Open Air, which is still waiting in the starting blocks, regardless of whether it is a large multicultural event or a heavy metal gem - all organizers are united by the idea that an important part of the lively Hessian cultural landscape is at great risk due to the pandemic. And that perspectives and planning bases must be created promptly that will also create security for the time after the pandemic.

The basis for this is to create discussions between festival organizers and people from politics and society who accept this responsibility and are ready to help shape workable solutions. The position paper "Providing a stage to the stage" is intended to create a basis for this, in which "Festivals in Hessen" describe the significance of the events in the Hessian cultural landscape and formulate clear demands. "The main thing is that politicians take on the good ideas of the organizers in a timely manner in order to make many festivals this year still possible", explains Andreas Becker from "Live in Hessen" the demands of the initiative and refers to the creativity of the organizers as well as their willingness for solution-oriented discourse. What is needed above all is clear framework conditions, binding commitments and funding programs that are geared towards the needs of the festival organizers. At the same time, the paper is intended to set the course for the future in order to sustainably strengthen and support the festival scene even after the corona pandemic.

The position paper summarizes the requirements for maintaining and operating Hessian festivals. It has already been sent to many representatives of political groups in Hessian circles and the state parliament with a request for comments so that we can enter into dialogue with them shortly.

“We organizers are finally demanding the attention and prioritization that we deserve. As committed presenters of a multi-layered music and art scene, as hosts for many thousands of fans, as a potent client for the event industry, as a partner to countless service providers and as a trailblazer for social engagement in voluntary work, "is how Merlin Jost from Trebur Open Air sums up the demands the festival scene together. “It is this point that has been slowing down and paralyzing the Hessian and Germany-wide festival scene for years and forcing many organizers, collectives and associations to give up even before the Corona crisis. “There has been a deep lack of understanding and resentment about this for years - but now we are more concerned with the fundamental preservation of this lively and important branch of culture,” adds Merlin Jost.

Some festivals in the action alliance have already had to be canceled. They are now concentrating on supporting those who are in the second half of the year and have not yet given up hope of being able to present a multicolored cultural program on their stages for at least part of the normal guest capacity. The prerequisite, however, is quick, binding action on the part of political decision-makers. Only in this way can the necessary measures be implemented in good time by the organizers - who often work on a voluntary basis - with the respective municipal administrations.

Further information at: https://www.live-in-hessen.de/festivals-in-hessen/

Festivals of the action alliance "Festivals in Hessen":

AIRPLEY! OPEN AIR BETTER THAN NOTHING! FESTIVALBIRKENGARTEN FESTIVAL · MAIBERG OPEN AIR · MAIWAY PUB AND MUSIC FESTIVAL · MARBURG SUMMER NIGHTS · MUSIC FORGE FESTIVAL · NONSTOCK OPEN AIR · OPEN FLAIR FESTIVAL · PHUNGO FESTIVAL · OUT OF THE KELLER FESTIVAL ROCKFIELD OPEN AIR · RÖHN ROCK FESTIVAL · RUPAT FESTIVAL AND CONFERENCE · SEEBEBEN BEACH PARTY · SEEPOGO · SOUND OF THE FOREST FESTIVAL · CITY WITHOUT SEA · STARKENBURG FESTIVAL · QUARRY ROCKS! FESTIVAL · TELLS BELLS FESTIVAL · TROPICAL TANGO FESTIVAL · TRAFFIC JAM OPEN AIR · TREBUR OPEN AIR · BIRD IN THE NIGHT FESTIVAL · WUTZDOG FESTIVAL

INVESTMENT:
Position paper "Giving stages a stage"

Interview inquiries and queries to: m.jost@treburopenair.de