Lützerath (dpa / lnw) – Several hundred young people and Kurdish representatives came together on Saturday at the edge of the Garzweiler opencast mine for a youth festival. According to the organizer, climate activists are showing solidarity with the Kurdish freedom movement at the cultural meeting in the largely deserted village of Lützerath.

The district of Erkelenz is located near the edge of the opencast mine in the Rhenish mining area. The program included Kurdish music, dancing, food, exhibitions and workshops. The organizer expected around 1400 guests over the day.

The police estimated the number of participants at noon to be around 400. Accordingly, the meeting, which was not registered as a demonstration, was “absolutely peaceful with a great atmosphere”.