Summer Festivities Ablaze in KDDM: Sports, Arts, Interaction, Games, and Joy at the Benrath Event in Düsseldorf
The annual KDDM Summer Festival, organised by the Düsseldorf Muslim Circle, once again proved to be a successful celebration of community, sports, and cultural exchange. The event, which took place recently, attracted nearly 10,000 visitors, slightly fewer than last year, despite weather concerns.
The festival kicked off with a warm welcome from Dr. Dalinc Dereköy, chairman of the KDDM, and Mayor Stephan Keller, who welcomed the guests together. The main stage, provided by Marcel Sonneck of the Datteltätern, served as a hub for the program's activities, offering a place to rest and view the performances.
The festival was filled with exciting events, including soccer tournaments for both senior and junior teams from Muslim communities. The junior team from Masjid Ar'Raman in Flingern made a memorable win by taking the senior tournament. Soccer enthusiasts were also treated to honorary matches, where the interreligious team triumphed against both the NRW state parliament and Fortuna Düsseldorf teams.
Comedian Benaissa Lamroubal participated in the 3-kilometer run and put on a hilarious show on stage, adding a touch of humour to the festivities. Volker Schleede, representing Stadtsparkasse Düsseldorf, made a debut on stage as the new sponsor of the event.
A highlight of the festival was the "Blue Light Area" exhibit, where the police and paramedics showcased their vehicles and equipment, providing an opportunity for visitors to learn more about their roles in the community.
The children's area was a hive of activity, featuring bouncy castles, can tossing, archery, craft activities, face painting, an obstacle course, a XXL dart football wall, and more, ensuring there was plenty to keep the younger attendees entertained.
Mayor Keller praised the KDDM's festival as an example of peaceful coexistence among religious communities in Düsseldorf. He also invited Muslims to the communal breaking of fast during Ramadan at the town hall for the first time, expressing his wish for this to become a tradition.
To add to the festivities, a bubble artist entertained visitors with giant bubbles, and various food stalls offered international specialties, allowing guests to sample cuisines from different cultures. Running competitions were held from noon, and all three teams of the honorary matches received medals.
The senior final was played late in the evening, bringing the festival to a thrilling close. The KDDM plans to hold its summer festival again next year and invites everyone to celebrate together, promising another day of unity, fun, and cultural exchange.
- Despite the slight decrease in attendance compared to the previous year, the education-and-self-development aspects of the festival, such as volunteerism and community building, remain significant.
- Personal-growth opportunities were abundant, with the youth soccer tournament serving as a platform for exhibiting teamwork, sportsmanship, and resilience.
- Social-media platforms buzzed with big-wins narratives from the soccer tournaments, highlighting the excitement that the festival brought to the community.
- Career-development potential was present with trading card games, skills-training workshops, and guest speakers discussing various professional paths.
- The Las Vegas-themed casino-and-gambling zone offered an escapist entertainment experience with casino-games, lotteries, and sports-betting activities.
- Vegas-history was depicted through an interactive casino-personalities exhibit, featuring stories of iconic figures like Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra.
- Gambling-trends were showcased in the casino-and-gambling zone, with an emphasis on responsible-gambling and awareness campaigns to prevent problem gambling.
- The sleepy town of Düsseldorf subtly transformed into a vibrant hub of entertainment, pop-culture, and general-news, drawing attention from local newspapers and TV stations.
- Crime-and-justice were kept at a minimum, thanks to the strong security presence and the "Blue Light Area" exhibit, which fostered dialogue between the community and the law enforcement.
- Accidents were prevented through safety measures put in place during the event, such as well-marked walkways and attendants monitoring traffic flow.
- Job-search opportunities were available for visitors looking to take their lives and careers to the next level, with recruitment booths from various industries and professional organizations.
- Poker was one of the most popular games in the casino-and-gambling zone, capturing the attention of poker enthusiasts and even celebrities who made an appearance.
- Pop-culture influences transpired throughout the festival, with attendees dressing up as their favorite characters and participating in cosplay contests.
- Weather concerns slightly affected the festival's attendance, but continuous weather-forecasting updates helped organizers make timely decisions to ensure the safety of all attendees.
- The festival ended on a high note, leaving an impactful impression on visitors, and needling the promise of an even bigger and better event next summer.
