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

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

This week Cologne is looking forward to several exciting events, but the conflict over the use of the university meadow during the carnival is causing controversy. The Nature Conservation Advisory Board will meet at the Lower Nature Conservation Authority on Monday 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 crowds in the Zülpicher district have recently decreased. However, the search for alternatives remains unsuccessful, which is why the university meadow should remain a central part of the carnival celebrations, as ksta.de reports.

At the same time, the German Federation for the Environment and Nature Conservation (BUND) has announced legal action if city director Andrea Blome's application for an exemption is granted. The environmental organization sees the university meadow as a protected landscape area and criticizes the city planning. Over 30 alternative areas were examined, but no realistic options were found. The BUND is pushing for long-term solutions that take both celebration culture and nature conservation into account, and suggests decentralized concepts or alternative alternative locations such as the Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer. In particular, the opinions of Cologne's young people on this topic differ: While some show understanding for nature conservation, others emphasize the importance of the carnival, as koelner-karneval.org states.

Diverse events in the city

But the dispute over the university meadow is not the only headline this week. The “See the Sound” festival, which focuses on music films, starts on Wednesday. The festivities last four days and take place at various locations such as the Filmforum NRW in the Museum Ludwig and the Film Palette. This festival is one of the most important of its kind in Europe and promises a colorful program for music lovers, according to ksta.de.

Another highlight of the week is the awarding of the Rhineland Taler to Wolfgang Oelsner, who is being honored for his in-depth research into psychological and cultural anthropological aspects of carnival. This prize will be awarded on Thursday and goes back to the roots of the Cologne way of life.

Carnival and tradition

With a view to the upcoming Carnival 2023, which will be celebrated on November 11th, this year will be a very special one for the city. The 200th anniversary of Carnival in Cologne has been eagerly awaited for months. The anticipation for the celebrations in November is already palpable. November 11th falls on a Friday, guaranteeing extended festivities. The Wiggenbach of the Cologne Carnival Guild, consisting of Prince Boris I, Farmer Marco and Virgin Agrippina, will lead the celebrations.

In preparation for the event, a safety concept has already been put together for Zülpicher Straße, especially since the university meadow will not be used as a relief area this year. Instead, the area will be cordoned off and the lawns will be equipped with protective mats to ensure the safety of those celebrating. The city is looking forward to celebrating its carnival on November 11th with great energy and creating an atmosphere that guarantees both fun and safety for everyone involved, reports [24rhein.de].

It therefore remains to be seen what the decision on the use of the university meadow will be. However, with the upcoming events and the carnival season, Cologne is ready to host an unforgettable and, above all, safe festival.