Overath Cancels Christmas Market Over €17,500 Security Bill, Deepening NRW Cost Dispute
The organiser cites a Berlin court ruling against charging private hosts for terror protection and says it cannot continue without public funding.
Overview
- The Christmas market around St. Walburga in Overath has been called off after the organiser reported paying €17,500 for truck barriers and security staff required for terror prevention.
- Stadtmarketingverein Overath argues such expenses should not fall on private organisers, referring to a Berlin administrative-court judgment on security cost allocation.
- Chairman Andreas Koschmann says the group told the city it cannot run further events unless public authorities cover these security outlays.
- A meeting with new mayor Michael Eyer was reported to have produced no change, and the city has not issued an official statement on the cancellation.
- Across NRW, visitors report sharply higher prices at markets, including €9 mulled wine and €8.50 pea soup, which vendors and patrons link to rising stand fees and personnel costs.