the lake07 festival were kettcar appeared a couple of nights ago folded right after that evening’s last chords were played, a million euro in debts which sparked a public discussion about what kind of cultural events should be funded by the carinthian government. now gerhard dörfler, member of the right-wing former austrian freedom party (now bzö) had a particularly outspoken opinion, claiming “that music festivals like lake07 don’t fit in the carinthian cultural program” citing successful folk music festivals and the stage at the wörthersee. another quote was attributed to mr. dörfler – saying that “only people who drink too much alcohol could listen to music like that” – notably before his political career mr. dörfler worked as the manager of the local brewery. political correctness pops up when you least expect it.
Reminds me of Mr. Grönemeyers song “Heimat”:
Geführt von geklonten Patrioten,
im nationalen Krampf.
i believe.
It is interesting to me that the very reason that music and what is good or bad and the way it evokes such an emotional response, is exactly why we can’t say what is good or bad. I love music, especially music festivals, but I wouldn’t listen to most of what my sister does. My Dad and I almost never agreed on music, until we bonded over Johnny Cash. In my mind, any music that evokes an emotion, that makes someone smile and feel good fits any good cultural program. mr. dörfler could do well to take a lesson from a great festival here, the Falls Festival where those who drink too much alcohol mix with families, people my parents age and kids who don’t care what the music is, as long as they can dance to it. All linked by a love for music, a love for life and while not everyone likes everything, learning a tolerance that applies to all of life.