Unwelcome Guest: Alice Weidel Barred from Vicky Leandros' Concert Performance
Pop Singer Vicky Leandros Opposes Alice Weidel at Regensburg Castle Festival
Vicky Leandros, the renowned pop singer known for her hit "Ich liebe das Leben", has made a public statement opposing the attendance of AfD leader Alice Weidel at her concert at the Schlossfestspiele (Castle Festival) in Regensburg. Leandros, who believes in diversity, tolerance, human dignity, human rights, and internationality, expressed her discomfort with Weidel's presence due to the latter's association with the far-right party AfD[1].
The controversy began when it was revealed that Alice Weidel, co-leader of the far-right AfD, had been invited to the festival. This invitation stirred significant controversy, leading to public protests and a growing number of demonstrators[2]. According to police estimates, around 900 people gathered at the festival site by 8 pm[3].
Gloria Fürstin von Thurn und Taxis, the patron of the festival, defended the invitation of Weidel, pointing out invitations extended to other politicians. However, she later withdrew the invitation for Weidel to attend Vicky Leandros' concert, following Leandros' expressed discomfort[1]. Weidel was in Regensburg on Monday but neither she nor Fürstin von Thurn und Taxis were seen in the audience at Vicky Leandros' concert[2][3].
The event was not without controversy. Sahra Wagenknecht, a prominent politician, was invited but unable to attend the festival. There were accusations that Fürstin von Thurn und Taxis has links to right-wing circles, but she denies these allegations[1].
The incident has sparked a debate about the intersection of culture and politics in Germany, reflecting broader societal debates about tolerance, freedom of expression, and political extremism.
| Party | Political View / Role | Public Reaction & Actions | |---------------------|-------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------| | Vicky Leandros | Supports diversity, tolerance, and human rights; opposes far-right ideologies | Publicly rejected Weidel's presence, threatened to cancel performance, aligned with protesters | | Alice Weidel (AfD) | Leader of far-right party AfD, associated with nationalist and controversial views | Invited by festival patron, drew protests and public backlash, chose not to attend concert due to security concerns | | Fürstin Gloria von Thurn und Taxis | Festival patron, accused of closeness to right-wing circles but denies it | Invited Weidel; faced protests and criticisms about political leanings |
This controversy highlights the ongoing debates about the role of politics in cultural events, with Leandros actively distancing herself from far-right influences, while Weidel and her supporters attempted to assert their right to participate[1][2][3][4].
References:
- Bild
- Deutsche Welle
- Sueddeutsche Zeitung
- Tagesschau
- The social-media platforms were abuzz with discussions about the controversy surrounding Vicky Leandros and Alice Weidel at the Regensburg Castle Festival, reflecting the general-news topics that have captured the public's attention.
- Entertainment events, such as concerts, have increasingly become a platform for political statements, as demonstrated by Vicky Leandros opposing Alice Weidel's attendance at her performance due to her association with the far-right AfD.
- The intersection of politics and culture was further highlighted by the crime-and-justice issue of alleged links between Gloria Fürstin von Thurn und Taxis and right-wing circles, contributing to public unrest at the Regensburg Castle Festival.
