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Halloween: According to the court, a part of the cultural offer that can be dispensed with
Photo: Patrick Pleul / dpa
Halloween has been more popular in this country for years.
The question of the importance of this tradition is still hotly debated - and has now also preoccupied the judiciary.
The city of Dormagen had given the operator of an event location a special permit in order to be able to play loud music at a Halloween party with up to 300 guests in the night from Sunday to Monday between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m.
A resident filed an emergency appeal, which the Düsseldorf Administrative Court has now granted.
The party is canceled.
Because: The administrative court cannot recognize a local folk festival or any other public need in the custom.
To the chagrin of the party organizer.
He can now not rely on the exemption for disrupting the night's sleep for the planned party, as the court decided.
Understanding for younger people - but not partying after all
For disturbances of the night's sleep, exemption permits are possible if a public need or special local conditions justify this, according to the court.
However, it is not apparent that a Halloween party is an "indispensable part of the cultural offer" in the consciousness of the general public.
"With all understanding for the desire of the younger generation in particular for exuberant partying in view of the pandemic-related restrictions of the last few months," the court said, "it is an entertainment event where private needs are in the foreground."
There are also neighborly interests such as an undisturbed night's sleep, which the city has not sufficiently taken into account.
The municipality should also have taken into account that seven events had already taken place on the site of the event location in September alone on the basis of special permits and further celebrations were planned.
Confetti in the mailbox is okay
While a big party in Dormagen is canceled, the police are preparing for the Halloween customs adopted from the USA.
The State Criminal Police Office (LKA) in Hanover is already warning of criminal offenses through excessive pranks.
Parents should educate their children about how far they can go with pranks, said the LKA.
If, for example, a car is scratched while wrapping it with toilet paper, that would be damage to property, said the state commissioner for youth items.
It is safe to fill a mailbox with confetti or to wrap streamers around trash cans.
On the night of Monday, November 1st, the night before All Saints' Day, Halloween has also been celebrated in Germany for several years.
Disguised as ghosts or witches, children go from house to house asking for sweets.
Similar to the lantern parades on Saint Martin's Day.
Often played a trick on those who cannot or will not give anything.
File number: 3 L 2335/21
ptz / dpa
