Dispute over Uniwiese: Nature Conservation Advisory Board meets, complaint threatens!

Dispute over Uniwiese: Nature Conservation Advisory Board meets, complaint threatens!

This week Cologne is looking forward to several exciting events, but the conflict about the use of the Uniwiese during the carnival ensures explosive. Already on Monday, the nature conservation advisory board meets the Lower Nature Conservation Authority to discuss the controversial alternative area for the street carnival. The city plans to use the Uniwiese as part of its security concept, but to use a smaller area after the rush in the Zülpicher district has last decreased. However, the search for alternatives remains unsuccessful, which is why the Uniwiese should remain a central part of the carnival celebrations, as ksta.de reports.

At the same time, the BUND for the Environment and Nature Conservation Germany (BUND) has announced legal steps, the application by city director Andrea Blome should be granted for an exemption. The environmental organization sees the Uniwiese as a protected landscape protection area and criticizes urban planning. Over 30 alternative surfaces were checked, but without finding realistic options. The federal government urges long-term solutions that take into account both celebration culture and nature conservation, and suggests decentralized concepts or alternative alternative locations such as the Konrad-Adenauer bank. In particular, the opinions of the Cologne young people on this topic differ: While some understanding of nature conservation, others put the importance of the carnival in the foreground, such as Koelnerer-karneval.org.

versatile events in the city

But the dispute over the Uniwiese is not the only headline this week. The “See The Sound” festival, which focuses on music films, starts on Wednesday. The festivities run for four days and take place in different locations such as the Filmforum NRW in the Museum Ludwig and the film range. This festival is one of the most important of its kind in Europe and promises a colorful program for music lovers, so ksta.de.

Another highlight of the week is the awarding of the Rhineland Taler to Wolfgang Oelsner, who is honored for his profound research on psychological and cultural anthropological aspects of the carnival. This price is awarded on Thursday and goes back to the roots of the Cologne way of life.

carnival and tradition

With a view of the upcoming Carnival 2023, which will be celebrated on November 11, this year will be a very special one for the city. The 200th anniversary of the Carnival in Cologne has been eagerly awaited for months. The anticipation is already noticeable for the celebrations in November. November 11th falls on a Friday and thus guarantees extended festivities. The Wiggenbach of the Cologne Carnival guild, consisting of Prince Boris I, Bauer Marco and Jungfrau Agrippina, will cite the celebrations.

In preparation for the event, a security concept for Zülpicher Straße has already been put together, especially since the Uniwiese is not used as a relief space this year. Instead, the area is cordoned off and the lawns are equipped with protective mats, so that the safety of the celebrants is guaranteed. The city is looking forward to celebrating its carnival on November 11th with great energy and creating an atmosphere that guarantees both fun and security for everyone involved 24rhein.de.

This means that it remains to be seen how the decision to use the Uniwiese will be. With the upcoming events and the carnival season, however, Cologne is ready to organize an unforgettable and, above all, safe festival.