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German village protests against demolition with music

Fighting back with Beethoven

Location: Erkelenz-Keyenberg, Germany

About 50 musicians gathered to protest

against the demolition of a village

to make space for brown-coal mining

(SOUNDBITE) (German) ANTJE GROTHUS, ENVIRONMENTALIST, WHO ALSO FOUGHT FOR THE HAMBACH FOREST, SAYING:

"I think this is very much the appropriate place for this. Because only some 100 meters further along, there are the diggers. And this village and this lovely farm are supposed to be demolished, and the people banished from their homes. And I think it is an incredible sign of solidarity from those musicians to play for those people, to direct the public attention to the fact that in 2020, in the heart of Germany, villages are destroyed for brown-coal mining. I was incredibly moved."

Residents are also concerned

about the environmental impact

and were inspired by

Beethoven's Symphony No.6

(SOUNDBITE) (German) MARITA DRESEN, CONCERNED RESIDENT FROM NEIGHBORING VILLAGE KUCKUM WHICH SHALL BE DEMOLISHED AS WELL, SAYING:"Well, the musicians told us that Beethoven was very eco-conscious. And they were of the opinion that if Beethoven was still alive today he would fight along with us and to play for us so the village will survive. And that our climate will survive, that we will abide to the 1.5 degrees pledge and observe other climate goals. Therefore, the musicians play Beethoven."