Dusseldorf unfolds its initial Gather Youth Festival - sans open-air setting
On August 25th, Maren Siegel, director of the Süd Cultural House in Garath, and Charlotte Böke, co-organizer of the 1st Garather Youth Festival, faced an unexpected predicament. Due to heavy rain, the scheduled outdoor setup for the festival was cancelled, forcing them to move the event indoors.
The cultural festival, a collaboration between the Süd Cultural House, "Gestaltbar," a local youth culture project, and the youth recreation facility "Anne Frank House," was intended to be an open stage for young people from Düsseldorf, particularly those from the southern districts, to showcase their artistic talents. However, the turnout was limited, with only three local rappers and a breakdance group from 'Just be fit' participating.
While the festival proceeded as planned, it fell short of its intended goal. "The open stage was aimed at engaging young people and showcasing their talents," Siegel lamented. "But we wanted to host the festival outdoors, which would have allowed for 'passing-by' visitors and a larger crowd. As an indoor event, it was more of a small gathering."
The professional show part was handled by Düsseldorf rapper Amorok and the 2018 German beatbox champions from Berlin, "The Razzzones." Despite the inconvenience, Siegel noted that the event's atmosphere was pleasant, with the young attendees enthusiastically appreciating the performances.
The funds for the festival come from the Garath 2.0 action concept. Despite the Challenges faced this year, the organizers are optimistic about a rerun of the Garather Youth Festival in 2024, hoping for better weather conditions and a large outdoor gathering.
Despite the unexpected indoor shift for the 1st Garather Youth Festival, Maren Siegel and Charlotte Böke aim to promote an outdoor living aspect in future events, envisioning it as a key component of the home-and-garden lifestyle for youth festivals. The shift, however, did not diminish their commitment to outdoor-living, as they still aspire to host outdoor events that attract a wider audience and encourage the enjoyment of art in the open air.
