Terror fears shut down Germany's beloved festivals
In Germany, numerous festivals, including markets and fairs, are being canceled due to fears of terrorist attacks. Although artists, for whom these events are often a source of livelihood, are not pleased with this decision, the police union welcomes it.
Terrorism fears are growing in Germany. As a result, decisions are being made to cancel many outdoor events. According to Bild, after the attacks in Magdeburg and Munich, stricter security measures have been introduced, which generate high costs that are too much for the organizers to handle.
Frank Hakelberg from the German Exhibition Association emphasizes that festivals are crucial for local communities and economies. "I cannot take responsibility if some madman runs over people with his car again," said Günter Fiebig to Bild, organizer of a flea market in one of the Bavarian towns.
We have about 9,700 folk festivals. The state must be responsible for security. It can't be that we have to manage it ourselves. - Frank Hakelberg, president of the German Exhibition Association.
Satisfaction with the tightened security measures was expressed by the German police union. "As an international metropolis, Berlin is a target for terrorist networks, and due to our free and liberal lifestyle, it is also a target for individual criminals," says chief Stephan Weh.
According to Bild, the traditional spring market in Lage, North Rhine-Westphalia, has been canceled. There was not enough security available. The Cherry Blossom Festival in Marburg, Hesse, will also not take place. Flea markets near Berlin and the traditional Easter firemen's display are being canceled. There will be no events for Walpurgis Night either.
In recent months, Germany has been struggling with a wave of terrorist attacks. The attack in Magdeburg echoed loudly, which occurred on December 20, 2024, at a Christmas market. A 50-year-old Saudi man, Talib al-Abd al-Muhsin, drove through a crowd, killing six people, and over 230 were injured. He took advantage of an entrance reserved for services and plowed through people for almost 550 yards. He was a psychiatrist with refugee status, criticizing Germany for its liberal approach to Islam.
In February 2025, a 24-year-old Afghan drove into a crowd of protesters in Munich. Two people died, and 39 were injured. Farhad Noori was ordered to leave Germany in 2020, but he never did. He claimed that Allah had ordered the attack, and during his arrest, he shouted "Allah Akbar."
