Anticipated Attendance of 40,000 for the 'Rustic Revelry of Culture' Event - Throngs of 40,000 art enthusiasts anticipated at the "Landmark Cultural Festivity"
Thousands of Art Enthusiasts to Attend "Cultural Countryside Party" in Wendland
Approximately 40,000 individuals are expected to visit the Wendland region for the 36th "Cultural Countryside Party" (KLP), taking place between Ascension Day and Pentecost. With its political roots, the event aims to challenge current societal developments with a focus on solidarity and diversity.
The KLP, initially stemming from the anti-nuclear movement and protests against a nuclear waste repository in Gorleben, remains significant in the conservative Wendland region. According to the organizers, far-right settler families are increasingly visible in local schools, kindergartens, and fire departments.
The event will feature exhibitions, performances, and lectures over a period until June 9. A 320-page guide outlines the 87 participants, with organizers reporting orders from Austria and Denmark. As the event gathers momentum, gastronomers and hotels are booked well in advance, making it a key period economically, even exceeding the Christmas season's business for merchants.
Visitors are encouraged to follow an etiquette guide to ensure minimal disruption to everyday life and work, particularly in agriculture. Normal life continues during the twelve-day gathering.
In Gorleben, citizens are arranging a political demonstration on June 6 near the mine, opposing the interim storage of 113 highly radioactive Castor containers. The nuclear waste is expected to remain at the site for 80 to 100 more years.
Simultaneously, the Wendlandleben agency and the nature park are organizing a job fair in the Rundlingsmuseum in Lübeln, under the slogan "From Holiday to Life." This initiative encourages ideas and exchange for regional opportunities.
As the popularity of KLP has grown, the number of visitors arriving by car has increased significantly. Bike rentals are available for train travelers at some locations for ten euros per day.
Background: The Wendland region is recognized for its anti-nuclear activism, with its politics and life rooted in community movements opposing nuclear power plants and waste storage facilities. The "Cultural Countryside Party" emerged within this context, advocating for sustainable rural living, environmental consciousness, and social engagement as alternatives to industrial and nuclear policies.
The party's influence has contributed to transforming the Wendland into a unique destination for those interested in alternative lifestyles, sustainability, and creative expression. A vibrant artistic community has also emerged, integrating political statements and activism into art forms, making the area a hub for cultural tourism. This tourism encourages slow, immersive travel focused on nature and cultural exchange, enriching the experience for visitors and preserving the region's unique identity.
- In light of the upcoming "Cultural Countryside Party" in Wendland, the local authorities are updating their community policy to address the influx of 40,000 visitors, with a focus on employment policies to cater to the increased demand in gastronomy and hospitality services.
- Concurrently, the Wendlandleben agency is hosting a job fair under the slogan "From Holiday to Life," aiming to promote local opportunities for those seeking a change in lifestyle, as the "Cultural Countryside Party" has become a breeding ground for ecological and creative initiatives.
- As travelers flock to Wendland for the "Cultural Countryside Party," the regional government is advocating for sustainable and slow tourism policies, encouraging visitors to explore alternative modes of transportation like bike rentals instead of relying solely on cars.
