The Federation of German Carnival Clubs (Bund Deutscher Karneval, BDK) is calling on government authorities to increase assistance for counter‑terror measures at carnival parades. Klaus‑Ludwig Fess, the federation’s president, warns that many clubs run the risk of exhausting both their organisational and financial capacity if support is not provided.
In recent years, the costs borne mainly by volunteers have risen sharply. “Measures to counter terrorism – for example, securing side lanes – should be funded by the state” Fess told the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung”. When the Länder do not allocate the necessary funds, municipalities attempt to shift the costs to the organisers. The president of the umbrella organisation criticised this practice.
Smaller, village‑style parades are hit hardest. Sponsor money and donations are waning, and membership fees alone rarely cover the safety concepts required. According to Fess, a decline in carnival would be detrimental both culturally and economically. Nationwide, carnival activity brings in more than €2.4 billion to the hospitality, gastronomy, transport and crafts sectors.
