Large crowds at U18 parties without alcohol in Lüneburg
Shortly before the U18 party begins, the Salon Hansen organization team has a lot to do: Alcohol out of all the fridges, sodas in. Then the party can actually start. Once a month, a long queue forms at Salzstraße 1 in Lüneburg and security staff check IDs. Admission costs three euros, a drink costs one euro. On this Friday in November, the first clubbers wait patiently outside from 4 p.m. for admission from 7.30 p.m. onwards.
"After corona, there was very little for the young people," says Ann-Christin Behrens, cultural youth work officer. It is important to her that the young people have their own places - without adults. She has been organizing the events with a team of young people since January. She is not familiar with such regular events in other cities.
Her idea is also to introduce the volunteers to the extensive organization of the celebrations, each with a theme. Behrens is proud of her dedicated crew. And the parties cover their costs. Next year, half of the tickets for the monthly events will be sold online and half at the box office.
"The atmosphere here is just awesome," says 18-year-old DJ Cosiak - whose real name is Jakob Gade. "Everyone wants to go full throttle for four hours," says the high school graduate. He has prepared 220 songs for the evening - he also accepts requests. The cool location, which is not a youth club or private room, is important. Salon Hansen has been hosting workshops, parties for adults and concerts since 2006.
Between 200 and 300 young people will have entered the club in the four hours, with many coming from the surrounding area. "It's always packed," says operations manager Hagen Wedding, who is responsible for the box office and has the keys.
"It runs smoothly, we really enjoy coming," confirms Felix Beermann from security service Secu Nord, who has already attended four times. "We get on really well with the children, they make life easy for us." Most of them have a very respectful demeanour, the security guard emphasizes. There have not yet been any police incidents.
The dancing goes on until 11.30 p.m., then it's over so that the young people can get home before midnight. By then, 13-year-old Chiara, who proudly holds up her mother's consent form, is already home. She and her friend are picked up at 10.00 pm. "No alcohol is no problem for us, we don't drink," emphasizes a 15-year-old.
During their leisure time, young individuals in Lüneburg frequently attend these alcohol-free U18 parties. The organization of these events provides an excellent opportunity for the city's youth to gain helpful experience in event planning.
Source: www.dpa.com
