Struggle of Karlsruher Collective: Pursuit for Underground Raves in the Pheasant Garden Against Authorities
Remixing the Scene: Partying in Public Parks - A Dance with Rules
Strolling through the Fasanengarten, you might stumble upon small, open-air parties hosted by the local collective "United Nights." Jan, a member of the collective, frequently organizes such events.
Parties Ain't Necessarily Illegal, But They Require a Permit
Jan confessed that when they first started throwing events in the Fasanengarten a couple of years ago, they were oblivious to the fact that such gatherings should be authorized. Contrary to popular belief, these parties don't break any laws - but they do require a permit. The permit application process involves a range of parties, including the city, police, nature conservation authority, fire department, environmental and occupational health and safety authority, and local administrations.
"We also gave a damn about the rules"
The Fasanengarten had served as a dancefloor for others before Jan and their collective. They learned that the music should be turned off, and guests should be sent home by 10 pm, and the park should be left spotless. After confirming these rules with the city administration over the phone, they were given the green light to continue planning future events. "We care about the rules and the park. That's important," Jan stresses.
The Buzzkill - The Police Rained on the Parade
The "Rave into May" on April 30th attracted a large crowd that got the police involved early, around 9:15 pm. Everyone was ushered out of the park. According to the police, the crowd was too rowdy, and there was neither registration nor a permit for the event. The city administration confirmed the same. The growing popularity of these raves brings challenges, like an excessive number of participants, which can lead to noise pollution and waste management issues.
"The line was crossed"
Cristian, another party organizer, shares Jan's sentiment. His latest rave on May 9th was also shut down by the police due to excessive crowd size. "It was bigger than we anticipated. On April 30th, several collectives were celebrating simultaneously, leading to an uncontrollable crowd and exceeding the preserve boundaries," Cristian explains.
"Our events offer a simple yet high-octane and accessible nightlife experience, bringing people together, showcasing new music, spreading positive vibes, harmony, and acceptance."
Let's Talk This Out - Collectives Engage with the City and Police
Cristian is eager to find a mutually beneficial solution. He emphasizes that it's crucial to respect the park and its ecosystem while preserving the cultural offering in the face of cuts in the event scene.
So, What's Next?
Collectives self-fund their events. Jan believes that the city might approve smaller, private gatherings with a manageable number of attendees in the future. For larger formats, they should ideally relocate to other spaces to prevent overcrowding. Cooperation among collectives is also essential. Both rave enthusiasts remain optimistic about a future-focused approach that prioritizes freedom, culture, and responsibility.
- Jan, in discussion with the city administration, confirmed that their events should adhere to specific rules, including turning off the music by 10 pm, maintaining a clean park, and obtaining the necessary permits for home-and-garden entertainment.
- United Nights and other collectives, in their mission to offer lifestyle experiences through dance and music in public parks, are actively engaging with the city and police to find a solution that respects park rules, preserves cultural offerings, and ensures the safety and enjoyment of all participants.
