- Gremmels condemned protest action in the Wilhelmshöhe mountain park
With sharp criticism, Hesse's Minister of Culture Timon Gremmels has reacted to a protest action by environmental activists at the water games in the Kassel Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe. He condemned the paint attack, Gremmels said. "The endangerment of a World Heritage site is not a suitable means to create publicity for an expression of opinion."
During the unannounced action, several people climbed onto the cascades of the water games on Sunday, displayed a banner against water pollution, and introduced an unknown substance into the flowing water, which then turned a bright green color.
Gremmels emphasized that the Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe is a site of outstanding and historical value. "Attacking art and cultural assets and risking damage can never be a form of legitimate protest, therefore I condemn the actions of the activists. Actions of this kind have the potential to permanently damage important sites and works."
The activists initially fled after their action, but two of them were arrested shortly afterwards. The two men, aged 24 and 32 and from Kassel, were released after the completion of police measures, a police spokesman said. So far, it is known that four people were involved in the action. They are being investigated for suspected water pollution and joint malicious damage. The suspicion of trespassing may also apply.
According to police reports, the water master was able to direct the colored water into a separate retention basin, allowing the water games to continue. This resulted only in a shortened duration of the final water fountains.
The exact substance involved is still unclear, but it is assumed to be harmless to humans and animals, as the police spokesman said. Water samples were taken on Sunday and are being analyzed by the lower water authority. Whether any property damage has occurred is initially unclear. Since the substance does not break down on its own, it will likely be discharged through the Fulda River at some point, the spokesman said.
The paint attack on the water games by environmental activists, as condemned by Minister Gremmels, could potentially harm the Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe, a World Heritage site, making it an inappropriate method for garnering attention against water pollution.
The unlawful actions of the activists, resulting in the introduction of an unknown substance into the flowing water of the water games, have the potential to cause permanent damage to important cultural assets, according to Minister Gremmels.
