Festival Supporters and Backers Gather at Kulturhof Fest der Sinne in Kaarst for a Collective Meeting

The small town of Kaarst, Germany, was buzzing with excitement as the annual city festival kicked off. The event, which has been eagerly anticipated by the community, brought together locals and visitors for a weekend of entertainment, art, and camaraderie.

The festivities began with a unique moment as guests joined forces to sing the 'Kaarst-total' song, led by Ötte and the initiative circle. This communal singing set the tone for the rest of the weekend, emphasising the importance of people coming together for enjoyment and strengthening, a message echoed by Mayor Ursula Baum.

Mayor Baum, who has not missed any major events in Kaarst since moving there in 1994, emphasised the significance of such gatherings, particularly during the winter months. She highlighted how these events help to bring the community closer and foster a sense of unity.

The festival was supported by various local businesses, including Raiffeisenbank Kaarst, which expressed its gladness to support the region. Timmermanns car dealership also stepped up, offering a shuttle service with electric vehicles for the festival guests.

One of the highlights of the event was the raffle of two "old timers". Marcus Pastor, organiser of the classic car rally "Classic à la Kaarst", raffled off two places in real "old timers". Among the vehicles up for grabs were a Rolls Royce Phantom from 1927 and a Mercedes SL Pagoda from 1970.

Art was also a significant part of the festival. Pianist Uwe Rößler provided musical entertainment, and his performance was particularly special as he and moderator Dirk Reuter (trumpet) had previously played music together during their youth, both being students at the Albert Einstein Gymnasium at the time.

Some works of art were auctioned off to benefit the "Culture Without Borders" association, with Kaarst residents contributing after initial hesitation. This association, founded by the Cologne artist Rolf Jahn, was established with the initial goal of providing a new home for persecuted artists. Membership of the association costs 120 euros per year.

Integration was later added as a goal for the association, with German artists now residing in the cultural courtyard. Helge Achenbach, former art dealer and project leader, spoke about his time in prison and the association's initial goal. He also discussed his "second vision" for the future, which includes creating a sensory park around the future lake near the cultural courtyard.

The sensory park, as envisioned by Achenbach, will bring art and nature together in harmony. This park is part of the plans for the future lake, which will be close to the cultural courtyard in a few years.

For more information about the "Culture Without Borders" association and the Kaarst total city festival, visit culturewithoutborders.art/. The festival was a testament to the power of community spirit and the transformative potential of art. It was a weekend to remember for Kaarst and its residents.