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Welcome to the 'Nazi village'!

September 1, 2018

Birgit and Horst Lohmeyer live in a village mainly inhabited by staunch neo-Nazis. Once a year the couple takes a public stand against the right with a rock festival that attract such iconic bands as “Die Ärtze”.

https://p.dw.com/p/348Nz

It can be quite frightening in the village of Jamel in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Almost all of the 40 people who live there are staunchly right-wing, but Birgit and Horst Lohmeyer are exceptions. They want to do something to counter the growing stench of this blood-and-soil ideology. For the past eight years, they’ve been putting on a music festival in their village that takes a stand against the far right. Some of the local residents have been hostile, and have tried to drive the couple out. Their barn was even burned down by an undiscovered assailant. The Lohmeyers say it’s an oppressive atmosphere, except for a few days each year when bands and fans roam around the village. Cult bands like "Die Ärzte”, "Die Toten Hosen” and "Fettes Brot” have already joined the event to stand up for tolerance and openness. The right, however, won’t stand for it. Will it remain peaceful? A report by Mariel Müller.