By Michael Sauerbier
Cheerful guests under blossoming trees, hardly any drunkards or fights. The island town of Werder/Havel is celebrating the most peaceful tree blossom festival in a long time, thanks to a new concept. But the youth are disappointed.
After a forced break of three years, fruit wine is being served again in Werder’s gardens. The rush: tremendous. Trains, steamers and parking lots were full on Saturday. Crowds on the Hoher Weg and in the picturesque old town. Big crowds even on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
Petra (56) and Martin (60) enjoy their fruit wine under blooming trees: “The festival is nicer than before” Photo: Parvets
East Germany’s biggest mass drinking has become a festival for connoisseurs. Where police and emergency doctor sirens used to rush to bullies and drunk corpses, only peaceful, satisfied guests. The large fairground remains closed, with police and public order patrols everywhere.
Instead of many music stages, only concerts on the Bismarckhöhe. Security controls access. The new concept works: The police only counted 20 criminal charges on the opening day, compared to 160 in 2019.
“Four years ago we treated 280 accidents,” says DLRG operations manager Jens Serbsen (46), “this time only 41. Instead of 40 patients, only seven had to go to the hospital.” Deputy Mayor Christian Große (CDU): “We want to a smaller festival close to the people.”
Resident Attila Weidemann (55, four children): “We took the festival away from the youth” Photo: Parvets
But: “The children miss the hype,” reports resident Attila Weidemann (55). “It’s totally boring,” complain twelve Berlin friends (22-25) on the Havelufer, “we’re missing the atmosphere, music stages and dance of the past.” Weidemann: “I think we’ve taken the festival away from young people a bit.“