Festival to increase security measures due to terror threat

The Dixieland Festival Dresden is complaining about high additional costs due to new security requirements because of the threat of terrorism. They would cost more than 120,000 euros and, according to the city's specifications, should be borne by the festival alone, the organizer announced. At the same time, it appealed to the city not to let the festival down.

According to the festival, the attacks in various German cities have led the Dresden city council to increase the security requirements for major public events. This now also applies to the "Jazz Mile", which is to extend from the main train station to the historic old town on eight stages during the festival.

Additional costs of at least 120,000 euros

The festival said that it understood the need for measures to ward off terrorism, but that the changed security situation was not the cause. "Raising more than 120,000 euros by the start of the festival on 11 May in order to secure all the requirements financially, materially and in terms of personnel is almost impossible and is also not within our area of responsibility," explained festival spokesperson Hendrik Meyer.

Festival: Counter-terrorism is a state task

The organizer is of the opinion that counter-terrorism is generally to be regarded as a state task, as it is part of averting danger and falls under the state's monopoly on the use of force. The federal and state governments are responsible for internal security measures. They feel responsible for the general security of the festival, but not for counter-terrorism.

"The city of Dresden cannot provide the necessary amount of barriers. These would have to be rented from Mannheim - where they are still in stock - at great expense, transported to and from Dresden and set up and dismantled at the venues," the statement continued.

Effects on "Jazzmeile" still unclear

The festival now wants to wait for a reaction from the city. It is still unclear whether the "Jazz Mile" may have to be scaled back, it said. The festival is determined to stick to the format. The "Jazz Mile", which is free of charge and open to everyone, is a central component of the festival and offers more than 120 hours of live jazz over three days.

The 53rd edition of the festival will take place from May 11 to 18. Dresden claims to host the largest festival for old-time jazz in Europe.