Böhmermann attacks Viva Con Agua – Hamburg NGO comments

Created: 09/05/2022 15:32

By: Kevin Goonewardena

TV satirist Jan Böhmermann sharply criticized the Hamburg NGO Viva Con Agua in the ZDF Magazin Royale.

Those responsible have already commented on the allegations.

Hamburg – TV satirist Jan Böhmermann is back from the summer break.

In the first new edition of his show "ZDF Magazin Royale" on Friday evening, September 2nd, Böhmermann took on the Hamburg NGO Viva Con Agua - which, among other things, works worldwide for a comprehensive and safe supply of clean drinking water.

The non-profit organization founded by ex-FC St. Pauli player Benjamin Adrion has already commented on Böhmermann's allegations.

That's what it's about.

Böhmermann takes on Viva Con Agua: Criticism of bottling partner, water, hotel

Böhmermann, who had already criticized Viva Con Agua in the Fynn Kliemann case, addressed several aspects of the organization’s business model and its implementation in his program ZDF Magazin Royale on September 2nd, 2022.

According to Böhmermann, the bottler of the water, the company "Husumer Mineralbrunnen", does not pay its employees according to tariffs, and there is also no works council, reports 24hamburg.de.

In addition, it is generally ecologically and economically more valuable to drink tap water - the water from the manufacturer Viva Con Agua is therefore not really sustainable.

There was also criticism of the pricing policy of the company's "Villa Viva" hotel, which is currently being built in Hammerbrook.

After the opening, the rooms there will cost up to 300.00 euros per night.

But what about Jan Böhmermann's allegations?

Also read:

Viva Con Aqua: Laying of the foundation stone for a hotel in Hamburg with a lot of celebrities

Viva Con Agua: Tap water is actually more ecological - "don't get tired of pointing it out"

The allegations against Viva Con Agua made by Jan Böhmermann at prime time did not let those responsible for the organization sit down.

There they already reacted to Böhmermann's allegations and basically agreed that the TV satirist was right - but not without putting the allegations in the right light and classifying them.

It is basically true that tap water is ecologically and economically better than mineral water.

However, according to Viva Con Agua, this is already being pointed out “in lectures, interviews, on our homepage or our products”.

Jan Böhmermann took on the Hamburg NGO Viva Con Agua in the first edition of his show ZDF Magazin Royale after the summer break © Christoph Hardt/Imago

Also read:

"Irresponsible shit": Jan Böhmermann shoots against the Corona policy of the FPD

Corresponding information would also be printed on the bottles.

After all, the water from Viva Con Agua is certified “climate-neutral”.

Unlike other companies, the proceeds support the "water for all" idea, according to which everyone should have access to clean drinking water if possible.

Viva Con Agua Hotel: Rooms cost up to 300 euros – but much cheaper ones are also available

Regarding the allegations of high room prices in the “Villa Viva” hotel planned for 2023, the company added that these relate to the suites designed by Jan Delay.

However, rooms are available from EUR 19.90 per night.

Viva Con Agua also clarified that “not a single cent of donations [would be used] to fund Villa Viva!

Neither in Cape Town nor in Hamburg.” 

And by the way, no financial means of the Viva Con Agua mineral water.

This could be read in the Hamburger Morgenpost, among other things.

Rather, the hotel project would be financed by investors, although "the majority of the shares" would continue to be held by the "non-profit organizations Viva Con Agua Foundation and Viva Con Agua de Sankt Pauli eV". 

Also read:

Jan Böhmermann: hate comment experiment makes waves – reaction from Hamburg

Husumer Mineralbrunnen: Collective payment not possible - request for a works council not yet expressed

The organization also commented on the allegations against the bottling company that fills the mineral water bottles on behalf of Viva Con Agua.

There it says that the company "Husumer Mineralbrunnen" bases its employees' wages on the wage agreements of the industry.

According to Viva Con Agua, a collective payment cannot take place because there is no such collective agreement in Schleswig-Holstein.

And with regard to the lack of a works council, the company wrote that the employees had not yet approached the company with their desire to set up a works council.