Paul Bachmann / Live4ever
Whilst the vast majority of festivals have been simply cancelled, Reeperbahn in Hamburg is one which is looking to take a different approach to its plans for 2020.
Organisers have outlined their hopes to stage a ‘pandemic-adapted’ version of the event when it takes place between September 16th-19th, made possible primarily by putting the importance of balance sheets to one side.
“Due to the special circumstances, we are completely bypassing all economic considerations for this year’s Reeperbahn Festival,” a statement explains. “The absolute priority must be to collaborate with our partners, venues, organisers, and others, to establish the new practical procedures required to hold the event in line with pandemic-related measures.”
“Naturally, the protection and safety of our visitors, partners, artists and employees is still paramount and it is clear that the situation remains very fluid and unpredictable. But, based on everything we currently know from the authorities responsible for us, we believe that we are on a slow, cautious and regulated path towards a new era of cultural presentation and culture industries, both during and also post-corona. With Reeperbahn Festival 2020, we want to support and shape this process and experience it together with our visitors.”
Anna Calvi, Ghostpoet and Working Men’s Club are some of the British acts booked for the festival.