Far-right radicalism - Talk on prohibition of D'Agostino song at folklore gatherings
At this year's Oktoberfest, the Italian DJ Gigi D'Agostino's song "L'amour toujours" will not be played due to changed lyrics containing right-wing text elements. However, the organizers of the Nuremberg Autumn Festival do not plan on banning the song. This decision comes after reports of visitors screaming racist slogans while listening to the track at the Erlangen Bergkirchweih and the Pfingstfest in Bad Kötzting.
"We'll definitely ban it, and I'll ban it," said Oktoberfest head Clemens Baumgärtner to the German Press Agency on Monday. While the song itself is not right-wing, it has gained a "very clear right-wing connotation," explained Baumgärtner. "There's no room for right-wing rubbish at the Wies'n."
The terms of the Oktoberfest allow for the prohibition of such slogans or content. Baumgärtner emphasized that the Wies'n is a "carefree and attractive" festival with many international visitors. In the past, right-wing slogans have been prevented, and they should not occur in the future. "The Wiesn is a nonpartisan event."
The city of Nuremberg is taking a different approach at their local autumn festival. No plans to ban the song at the Herbstvolksfest have been made, said city spokesman Andreas Franke. "After all, the original song itself is not objectionable. The abuse of the song - as has happened recently - with xenophobic and racist slogans is punishable, unacceptable, and repulsive."
For the Gäubodenvolksfest in Straubing, the second-largest festival in Bavaria after Oktoberfest, no definitive decision has been made about the D'Agostino hit. "So far, as organizers, we haven't interfered in the music selection in the tents," said chief organizer Daniel Winklmaier. The specific case will be examined carefully, and a consultation with the festival hosts will follow. "Racist slogans have no place at our traditional family festival, and as organizers, we won't tolerate such remarks for a second," said Winklmaier. "The Gäubodenvolksfest is an open-minded event!"
No racist incidents related to the song have been reported at the recently concluded Maidult in Regensburg.
Following a racist incident at the Bergkirchweih in Erlangen, the hosts chose not to play "L'amour toujours" at the festival. According to the police, two visitors yelled "Ausländer raus" during the song. Investigations are underway against the 21 and 26-year-old suspects.
Investigations have also begun in Bad Kötzting, where visitors allegedly shouted racist slogans during the Pfingstfest. Similar incidents have happened at carnival events in Bavaria.
A recent scandal occurred on the island of Sylt during Pentecost. In a video reportedly recorded at a bar, visitors can be seen and heard screaming "Ausländer raus" and "Deutschland den Deutschen" to the beat of the party hit "L'amour toujours." The state protection service is investigating.
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The prohibition of Gigi D'Agostino's song "L'amour toujours" at Nuremberg's Autumn Festival is not under consideration, despite its controversial lyrics being associated with right-wing extremism at other festivals in Upper Bavaria. Clemens Baumgärtner, the head of Oktoberfest, has expressed a firm stance against the song, citing its "very clear right-wing connotation" and the festival's commitment to being a nonpartisan event.
However, the city of Nuremberg views the issue differently, focusing on preventing the misuse of the song for xenophobic or racist purposes rather than an outright ban. Meanwhile, the organizers of the Gäubodenvolksfest in Straubing are considering the case carefully, emphasizing their commitment to not tolerating racist slogans at their family-oriented festival.
In Erlangen, the Bergkirchweih hosts chose to stop playing the song following a racist incident, with two suspected individuals under investigation. Similar incidents have been reported at other carnival events in Bavaria, including the Pfingstfest in Bad Kötzting, where investigations are also underway.
Recently, a video emerged from the island of Sylt, showing visitors shouting racist slogans during the party hit "L'amour toujours" at a bar. The state protection service is currently investigating the incident.
The police in Munich are closely monitoring the situation, aware of the potential for such incidents at popular events like Oktoberfest. The German Press Agency has reported on the issue, highlighting the need for vigilance against right-wing extremism and racism at festivals and events across Germany.
The song's fixed association with right-wing extremism has led to a renewed focus on monitoring and addressing such incidents, with music playing a significant role in shaping the atmosphere and sometimes inciting harmful attitudes.
Repackaging the song to remove its troubling connotations could be a solution, allowing fans to enjoy the original music without the controversial baggage. However, this would require careful consideration and cooperation from the music industry and festival organizers.
The issue of right-wing extremism and racism at festivals is a complex one, requiring a nuanced approach that balances freedom of expression with the need to create safe and inclusive spaces for all visitors.
DJ's like Clemens Baumgärtner and festival organizers have a vital role to play in shaping events and ensuring that music does not contribute to harmful or divisive narratives, instead promoting a positive and unifying atmosphere for everyone.
Source: www.stern.de
