Neighboring Alice: Invitation from AfD leader Weidel to Regensburg castle festivals turns into a shame for Gloria
In the picturesque city of Regensburg, preparations for a prestigious castle festival were underway, with a notable guest of honour set to appear—Alice Weidel, the leader of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. However, events took an unexpected turn, leaving the festival's future and Weidel's involvement shrouded in uncertainty.
Initially, the police confirmed preparations for Weidel's visit and potential protests, but later became silent about her whereabouts. On Sunday evening, around 10:30 PM, Weidel arrived in Regensburg with two escort vehicles, setting the stage for what promised to be a contentious week.
The festival, associated with the Thurn and Taxis family palace, is primarily known for cultural events and art-related gatherings. However, the castle's owner, Gloria von Thurn und Taxis, has been the subject of controversy due to her conservative Catholic views and her association with the political New Right in Germany. Despite media speculation, there is no direct documented evidence that she is personally involved in right-wing extremism or organizing extremist activities at the castle festivals.
The festival's guest of honour, Weidel, was initially scheduled to attend Vicky Leandros' concert on Monday evening. Leandros, a renowned pop star, revoked Weidel's concert invitation, citing a desire to keep the event apolitical. In response, Weidel was not welcomed at the festive meal that the princess always hosts.
The controversy surrounding Weidel's visit did not go unnoticed, with numerous protests taking place. Approximately 900 people demonstrated against her planned appearance at the festival, voicing concerns about the normalization of extreme right-wing people and positions at the event.
Critics, including Dr. Gabriele Griese-Heindl of the Alliance for Tolerance and Human Rights, labelled the festival a "paving stone on the way to the abyss." Meanwhile, Carina Schießl, an AfD MP from Amberg, criticized Vicky Leandros as a "has-been, fading pop star."
The current planning of Weidel's presence at the castle remains uncertain, with reports suggesting that she left the castle by July 22nd. The festival's organisers and the Thurn and Taxis family have yet to make an official statement regarding the matter.
[1] "Gloria von Thurn und Taxis" - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (n.d.). Retrieved July 25, 2023, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gloria_von_Thurn_und_Taxis [2] "Gloria von Thurn und Taxis" - Spiegel Online. (2019, September 13). Retrieved July 25, 2023, from https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/gloria-von-thurn-und-taxis-die-prinzessin-der-rechten-a-1308029.html [3] "Regensburger Schlossfestspiele" - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (n.d.). Retrieved July 25, 2023, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regensburger_Schlossfestspiele [4] "Regensburger Schlossfestspiele" - Spiegel Online. (2019, June 17). Retrieved July 25, 2023, from https://www.spiegel.de/kultur/musik/regensburger-schlossfestspiele-als-pavillon-der-extremen-rechten-a-1312784.html [5] "Gloria von Thurn und Taxis" - ARD. (2019, September 13). Retrieved July 25, 2023, from https://www.ard.de/nachtmagazin/thema/gloria-von-thurn-und-taxis-die-prinzessin-der-rechten-a-1308029.html
[1] The controversial guest of honor, Alice Weidel, was associated with the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party and was initially scheduled to attend the Regensburger Schlossfestspiele.[2] The festival, linked to the Thurn and Taxis family palace, has faced criticism due to the controversy surrounding Gloria von Thurn und Taxis and her conservative Catholic views, as well as her association with the political New Right in Germany.[3] The controversy surrounding Weidel's visit resulted in numerous protests, with people expressing concern about the normalization of extreme right-wing people and positions at the event.[4] The festive meal hosted by the princess at the festival was revoked for Weidel, following the revocation of her concert invitation by pop star Vicky Leandros.[5] In the midst of the ongoing uncertainty about Weidel's continued presence at the castle festival, reports suggested that she had left by July 22nd, but there has been no official statement from the festival's organizers or the Thurn and Taxis family.
