State rejects demand for more money for Hessentag
The state government has rejected the town of Fritzlar's demand for more money to host next year's Hessentag. Head of the State Chancellery Axel Wintermeyer (CDU) referred on Monday to an "existing legal basis" between the state and the town. According to this, Fritzlar will receive 8.5 million euros for hosting the state festival. Of this, 6.5 million euros would be available for "sustainable investments" by the town, for example for roads, swimming pools and community centers. A further two million euros could be used as deficit compensation for the five core areas of the festival - including a hall for major events and the parade.
"This applies to every municipality that organizes the Hessentag and we currently assume that the funds will also be sufficient for the state festival in Fritzlar," said Wintermeyer. So far, "no verifiable documents" have been submitted by the town that would justify any additional expenditure. The promise that the state makes to all Hessentag cities applies: if unavoidable, unforeseeable additional costs arise in the Hessentag cities, this will be resolved in partnership with the municipalities after the festival.
Wintermeyer criticized that something crucial was being pushed into the background in the current discussion: the Hessentag was a benefit - for the city, the region and, accordingly, also for the state. The state festival creates identity, strengthens local cohesion, attracts attention and is an investment driver for the respective cities. The state of Hesse will seek talks with the town leaders in Fritzlar in order to discuss the local problems and also to explain the positive aspects of the state festival in more detail during a personal exchange, said the Minister of State.
According to a report in the "Hessische/Niedersächsische Allgemeine" (HNA), Fritzlar had called on the state in a resolution to increase its contribution to 50 percent of the total costs of staging the Hessentag. In addition, the city reportedly called on the state to fundamentally revise the Hessentag concept and to ensure that the subsidy is commensurate with the contribution made by the organizing municipalities.
The 61st Hessentag will be held in Fritzlar from May 24 to June 2, 2024 under the motto "A city full of life". A few days ago, the town announced that the state festival would be held on a smaller scale than originally planned for cost reasons. The so-called Hessentag Arena, which was supposed to accommodate around 15,000 visitors for large concerts, will no longer be used.
Every municipality organizing the Hessentag, like Fritzlar, is entitled to a fixed amount of funds from the state, as Wintermeyer mentioned. The state funds, including deficit compensation, are intended for sustainable investments and unforeseen costs associated with hosting the Hessentag.
Source: www.dpa.com
