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ARD Documentary Revisits Seniors’ Costume Row to Probe Germany’s Culture Clash

Jessy Wellmer’s film uses the 2023 BUGA dispute as a case study of tensions over wokeness, cultural appropriation, free speech.

Overview

  • Wie zerrissen ist Deutschland? airs Monday at 20:15 on Das Erste and is already streaming in the ARD Mediathek.
  • The documentary returns to Mannheim’s AWO seniors dance group, showing a new performance in sombreros to Les Humphries SingersMexico that draws enthusiastic applause.
  • Group member Erika Schmaltz says she never understood the charge of cultural appropriation and asks why “old grannies” should be barred from wearing a sombrero.
  • Former BUGA culture head Fabian Burstein defends his 2023 compromise to drop certain clichéd costumes in favor of a larger stage, citing the need to avoid needless offense and the event’s international symbolism.
  • Wellmer broadens the discussion with interviews including Constantin Schreiber, who describes threats of a new intensity, alongside voices such as Riccardo Simonetti and culture minister Wolfram Weimer.