The Christmas market in Overath, North-Rhine Westphalia in Germany, has been cancelled because organizers cannot afford the high costs of counter-terrorism security. The organizers have asked the local council to help pay for barriers and security staff but the their request was turned down.
According to the marketing association of Overath, OVplus, discussions with the local administration had been ongoing for more than a year. “We simply can’t bear the financial and personal risk anymore,” said chairman Andreas Koschmann.
The group already spent €7,000 on security for a spring festival, which left no funds for the Christmas market. Organizers say they still hope for a last-minute agreement with the town’s leadership, but have warned that without support, future events like the town festival may also be cancelled.
