UPDATE – 22nd January 2015

Berlin Carnival 2015 is on!!!

Latest reports indicate that the show will go on.

It would appear that after an emergency meeting on Wednesday the carnival has been rescued.

Information from rbb-online

The Carnival of Cultures seems rescued after an emergency meeting of the Senate and artists. Both sides agreed on Wednesday evening that there is initially a new organizer and a new security concept. Then the participants want to consider how the festival in the coming years will look like.

The Carnival of Cultures is apparently saved. The Berlin Senate Department for Integration announced late on Wednesday, next week should a new organizer and a new security concept are presented. – Translated via Google

Lehwe GO!!

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UPDATE – 15th January 2015

It would seem there is hope that the show will go on!

In an article in the Berliner Zeitung (newspaper), the Integration Commissioner of Berlin Monika Lüke said;

There was previously no security concept with a substantial representation of the costs. The Senate will do everything to make the Carnival of Cultures can take place.” And who pays the high security costs? There is “very, very good chance” that the Senate bear the additional costs required, Lüke said.
Translated using Google

Some mas band have already had their band launch (Carnival Explosion) and others are going ahead with their plans. It’s looking hopeful. Keep the prayers going.

As we find out more news we will update you.

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So it seems that the much loved Berlin Carnival may be cancelled next year.

Attended by many soca and carnival lovers Berlin Carnival has turned into a must attend yearly event.

It is not your traditional Caribbean Carnival, it encompasses many cultures from the many different and wonderful corners of the globe. There will be a lot of people affected, upset and disappointed if the carnival is cancelled.

Here is the press release from the official Karneval der Kulturen website (11th December 2014. Translated by Google and tweaked by us).

Unfortunately, is entirely unclear whether there will be a Carnival of Cultures in 2015.

Background: Checks on the event were made in September by an external team of experts. A subsequent safety workshop has shown that we need to add some new security measures to ensure the maximum safety at the Carnival of Cultures.

The Office of the Commissioner for Integration made the security requirements available. The suggested measures that are to be implemented come at with substantial additional costs. A response to this information was due at the end of October – which had been moved to the end of November. Unfortunately, there has been no commitment to cover the costs and proposals which would have shown a real alternative.

Meanwhile, management and co-management of the carnival offices have decided for personal reasons not to work for the event starting next year.

Given these financial and personnel requirements, it is difficult to imagine that the Carnival of Cultures in 2015 can be planned and carried out.

What we will work towards for the 20th Carnival of Cultures in 2016 Carnival of Cultures 2.0, is the absolute demand for better conditions for the carnival groups such as a carriage assembly space for all groups, a new Mascamp for a large number of groups, a secure water supply during the move and, not least, for a carnival group fund.

Karneval der Kulturen

Here is what Barney Miller from Carnival Explosion had to say:

“The carnival is not cancelled but there are some problems for the committee to finance the new security regulations. The integration commissioner, who’s asked to cover the extra costs (between 400.000 and 600.000 €), didn’t respond on that matter up till yesterday.

Last night (11th Dec 2014) the local news show announced that the integration commissioner pledged to ensure that the Carnival will take place. That’s the status quo.

We, as in Carnival Explosion Mas Band, will continue our actions preparing for Carnival. Our band launch party on the 9th of January will take place.

I do not believe that they will let the carnival committee down. The Karneval der Kulturen is too important for the city. We will try to keep everybody outside Berlin informed.

Feel free to ask questions >> Carnival Explosion on Facebook

Have a blessed day” Barney

Here is what Carnival Fever has to say:

Dear Carnival Fever family, friends and supporters,

As most of you have read in the official statement of the “Carnival of Cultures” Organizational Committee posted by DJ Tate yesterday, it is totally unclear if there will be a Berlin Carnival in 2015. Unfortunately we don’t have any further information at the current state. We are hopping for the best since we have an epic weekend lined up but are only able to keep our fingers crossed. We will keep you updated on any new development and would just like to ask everybody to be patient and keep the faith.

Carnival Fever Ent.

So it seems all is not lost. The reaction thus far from the UK carnival lovers is one of disappointment. We remain hopeful that a solution will be found. We’re somewhat accustomed to the threat of carnivals being cancelled (NHC) and carnivals actually being cancelled (Reading, Birmingham etc). Our fingers are firmly crossed.

#longliveberlincarnival | #berlincarnival2015 | #uksocascene