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Controversial Lumumba ban: Christmas markets in the region react calmly!
Vellmar remains unaffected by the Lumumba ban. Critics demand respect, while Christmas markets are increasingly paying attention to names.
Controversial Lumumba ban: Christmas markets in the region react calmly!
During the Hessian Christmas market season, the ban on the drink name “Lumumba” at the Kassel fairytale Christmas market is causing a lot of conversation. With the aim of taking action against discrimination, Kassel Marketing GmbH has asked stand operators to offer cocoa drinks with rum under a different name. Kassel's city marketing considers the ban to be important in order to create a respectful environment. Non-compliance could have serious consequences for providers: in the worst case, warnings can lead to exclusion from the Christmas market. As InFranken reports, all stand operators have already adhered to the new regulations.
The name “Lumumba” is controversial and leads to heated debates. Critics argue that the association with Patrice Lumumba, Congo's first prime minister who was assassinated in 1960, represents a disrespect. This view is rejected by Konrad Ruppert, chairman of the Kassel-Göttingen showmen's association. He sees no discrimination in the name. The discussion about the name is not new: Last year, the city of Frankfurt recommended that the term “Lumumba” be avoided, which the organizers in the Main metropolis also implemented this year.
Reactions from the region
The reactions to the ban in Kassel are very different in the surrounding area. Dirk Wuschko from Baunatal city marketing emphasizes that there is no ban on Lumumba at the St. Nicholas market, which started on Friday and runs for ten days. Rather, the stand operators can decide for themselves whether they want to offer the drink. This also remains the case in other cities in the region. In Kaufungen, for example, there are traditionally no Lumumba variants; instead, tried-and-tested classics such as children's punch and mulled wine are sold there, as Peter Schwarze informs.
In Vellmar, Lumumba wasn't an issue anyway because it was never offered there. The situation is different in Wolfhagen, where the city asked stand operators whether they would like to sell Lumumba. One vendor plans to offer “hot cocoa with a shot,” but without using the Lumumba name. Kai Liebig, the head of the city of Wolfhagen, is reluctant to impose strict requirements and did not want to impose excessive restrictions on operators.
What about other markets?
The Christmas market in Hofgeismar has also not received any complaints about Lumumba drinks to date. There are five drinks stands here that offer “cocoa specialties” or “cocoa with rum” – but under different names. Even at the medieval Christmas market in Sababurg Zoo, the name Lumumba remains an unwelcome topic. If someone did come up with the idea of offering the drink, this would be strictly prohibited.
The discussion about the name “Lumumba” and the associated controversies show once again how sensitive issues surrounding cultural identity and historical figures are. The Christmas market, which for many is a place of comfort and enjoyment, is now caught between tradition and the requirements for respectful use of language.