LOGBOOK MSY (Motorsailor) Kulturkosmos

May 12, 2021. MSY Kulturkosmos has today stopped its engines and reefed its sails for the time being.

The below excerpts are from the logbook MSY Kulturkosmos and detail a mission that began months ago with great hope but an uncertain outcome. They document the story and the course taken by MSY Kulturkosmos as it seeks to explore a temporary escape from the dystopian winter pandemic of 2020/21. The mission: to enable festivals and cultural events, despite the pandemic, in summer 2021. The principal aim of course was Fusion at the end of June and beginning of July across two weekends with 35,000 visitors each time.

Note the principal aim of the mission was, not is. That is because as of this day, May 12 2021, this seems not to be achievable. We cannot see how this could be done in the remaining time window of just six weeks.
We write this entry to our logbook with great collective sadness with everyone who hoped and looked forward to Fusion - all the way until the very end.
It is with great sadness that we announce today:

Unfortunately, we will not achieve our mission “Fusion 2021” in time, and therefore have to postpone our much-anticipated festival for the second time by another year.

All ticket holders can read here how to proceed.

We write today’s logbook entry with anger directed at the politicians who ignored the third wave of the virus and prioritised the economy instead. They have failed to act with any consistency for months now. In addition to all the other failures during the pandemic including the ongoing vaccination disaster; it is the failure to respond and the inconsistency of action that have led us still living with such extreme restrictions and the deprivation of our rights and liberty. People will stop at nothing “as long as the economy is booming...” and we go from one Lockdown Light to the next. Fusion would have been possible this year if politicians had acted with consistency and in good time!

But we also write this entry with the hope that we will dance barefoot on green fields, listen to concerts, and party with you this summer, despite the pandemic. Right from the start, our mission was not limited to hosting Fusion at the end of June. Despite this severe setback, we’re continuing to work towards the goal of making culture, festivals, and parties possible this summer. We are convinced that, by August at the latest, the bass will return in Lärz and other places too; that culture will break for new shores, and that we will recapture our dance floors once again.

From the previous logbook entries below, you can see how difficult these past few months have been for us: from splitting the festival across two weekends; to the hopeful development of our hygiene and testing concept, to the realistic vision that we could put on the festival.

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End of December
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MSY Kulturkomos floats in calm waters. A working group regularly put their heads together to kick-start the planning of the double Fusion. Part of the crew is still on furlough, but the tickets have all been sold and we know that 70,000+ people now hope that the situation will become clear in the coming weeks. We have postponed our at.tension festival to 2022 to not stretch ourselves too thin with a theatre festival and a double Fusion weekend. But we are planning a new smaller theatre format for the beginning of September 2021 called “be.tween Theatertage”. But that’s still a long way off and we know that we now have to navigate January and February first in the hope that land will be in sight by March at the latest.

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January
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The pandemic is worsening and there are no indications that the wind will turn again soon. On the contrary, a third wave is predicted, but politicians are only babbling about millions of vaccine doses that are due to come soon. Science calls for No Covid; the left for Zero Covid. The application is signed by us but not without controversy. Faced with this situation, a fog of frustration increasingly obscures our confidence. Postponing the festival to late summer is discussed again but rejected, again. Fusion is just too complex and even the situation for late summer cannot be foreseen. We decide to stay on course.

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Early February
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The sea remains stormy and this powerful mistress has us firmly under her spell. The crew continue to sit below deck and take cover. Everyone on-board is symptom free. Morale is low and land is nowhere in sight. But all those who are able to still continue to work. We plant trees, make bookings, draft an extensive safety concept, but some of our crew are slowly but surely losing courage and hope.

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February 16
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Today we picked up a radio message from the Charité hospital. There was talk of a mobile laboratory and a newly developed and accelerated PCR test procedure which should enable the testing of thousands of people across a short period of time. The news caught us off guard, but we’re jolted into excitement.
Everyone is now talking about rapid tests, which should be available in large numbers from the beginning of March and should also be free of charge. Naturally, the vaccination programme is the big topic of discussion. But as it’s long-since become clear that politicians have simply messed up the ordering, there is only a ridiculously small amount of doses. We’ve already realised that neither rapid tests nor the fairytale of quick vaccinations will save us. There is an increasing recognition that only a PCR test will enable an event which lasts several days.
The idea of being able to reliably PCR test 35,000 people on the day of arrival sparked our imagination and we contacted the relevant sellers and producers.

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February 28
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Within 12 days, together with a small team of experts, we had mapped some things out and developed a first draft of a PCR testing concept. It is becoming apparent that it’ll be necessary to set up our own mobile laboratory in Lärz. The fog which has been all around us and clouded our minds is suddenly lifted. The morale of the whole crew follows suit.
At the same time, we submitted our application for the approval of Fusion Festival to the authorities along with the announcement that a comprehensive hygiene and testing concept will follow by the end of March at the latest. At first, our team of experts was small but it’s now expanded and IT people have also been added to the mix.

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March 1
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The distant strip we now see on the horizon could well spell happier times and the mood is noticeably much better within the entirety of the crew. There is a small sense of hope that we can host Fusion despite the pandemic!
We talk a lot about our red lines and answers to the question about what conditions and modifications we are prepared to accept the festival operating under. All of us agree that five days of festival with masks and social distancing crosses a red line. It is clear to us that Fusion contradicts the measures and rules of the pandemic and we’re in need of a really good solution if we want to be able to party safely and freely.
Preparations for further development work to the Turmbühne stage begin in Lärz. Some people in our various offices are still on furlough. Despite the mixed mood, everyone who has work to do switches from winter mode into the mysterious and unpredictable spring mode. As of today, the crews in Lärz and Berlin are continually tested using rapid tests.

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March 3
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There is a possibility to perform a second PCR test for all 35,000 Fusionists within 12 hours post arrival through means of a newly developed PCR pooling method on a large scale. This is the breakthrough. From now on, we’re motoring and working hard on our test concept. It is coming together.

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March 8
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Construction work to the Turmbühne stage has started. Every day, more than 50 people work hand in hand together in Lärz. Thanks to more concrete developments to the testing strategy, and its increasing viability, at Kulturkosmos at least, everyone is hopeful that there may be a chance for Fusion to take place in 2021, even in spite of the crushing third wave.

Outside the Kulturkosmos bubble, hope and morale sink as case numbers rise. The lockdown for families, retail, culture and everything that does not generate profit enters its third week and - small wonder - it shows no sign of working. In fact, the opposite is true.

Politicians try to alleviate frustration with cocky vaccination optimism and promises of compensation. Many who have lost to the pandemic don’t make it though after a year. At this point everyone knows someone who is at rock bottom. Some start to spout weird and crazy shit. What they all have in common is a dystopian mood, an absence of hope, and an increasing frustration with politicians, who at this point are just stumbling aimlessly through the pandemic.

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March 17
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An online expert panel discussion takes place with Caren Lay, MP, from Die Linke political party; LiveKomm; and festival organisers. The topic is the festival summer of 2021. The mood is generally pessimistic, but many people don’t want to give up. They want to keep up the fight. At this point we present and briefly outline our test concept. You can sense in everyone the hope for solutions and breakthroughs. We underscore our demand that politicians must support subculture and subsidise good hygiene and testing concepts to enable events to take place, rather than simply promising compensation payments in the case of cancellation.

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March 20
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The testing concept is in place and ready to go, but a conflict is emerging: we have to publish it at what is possibly the most inconvenient time, right at the peak of the third wave. Nevertheless, it’s important to demonstrate some hopel. How will people react? Will we be labelled as cynics or dreamers? We are aware that it sounds like we’re in dreamland to announce a festival for the end of June with 35,000 people. We also know that we’re against the clock and our chances deteriorate with every day politicians wait to impose a proper lockdown which can turn the case numbers around.

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March 24
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Publication of the testing concept. We can test all Fusionsists completely by PCR method once before and once during the festival. New technology and a detailed process optimisation make this possible. We planned and double-checked the logistics in great detail. We know it is possible. From now on the clock is ticking and we have to order the first PCR laboratory for Lärz as soon as possible, despite the risk that we won’t be able to host the festival at the end of June.

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25.März
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Various media report on our concept in a positive light.
Mostly positive and hopeful feedback is also coming to us through a variety of other channels. For many, right now, the fact that we are drafting a comprehensive concept that facilitates a major event gives a real emotional boost. There’s an incredible number of people who want to support us - many of whom are from the medical profession. The concept is praised by experts as good, understandable, transparent, and well thought through in terms of its content. The same spirit of optimism we felt internally can now be felt in large circles all around us. Finally - a proposal which most people can understand and see how festivals can be made feasible in times of corona.
At the same time, we need to recognise that the end is still nowhere near in sight with regards to the infection rate. We feel that if there is not a significant reduction in the number of cases in the coming weeks, even the best testing concept will not be approved to host a festival of 35,000 people.

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Early April
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Politicians stopped the Easter Bunny in its tracks a little bit but forcing people to remain in their four walls - apart from going on holiday - while allowing the economy to continue without restrictions causes the infection rate to remain stable. The numbers are increasing slowly but steadily and the intensive care beds are packed full. We receive initial feedback from our crews that, despite the testing concept, some no longer expect the festival to go ahead and are starting to forge ahead with other plans. Understandable of course, but we know that we cannot put Fusion on without our crews any more than we can without the authorities’ approval.
In spite of the unclear situation, we have to pay for the mobile laboratory. It’s a prerequisite for the testing concept and has a delivery time of four weeks. In view of the number of infections, we are aware that we can no longer rely exclusively on being able to host 2 x 35,000 at the end of June so also have to consider a “Plan C”. Plan C was sketched out in very rudimentary form all the way back in January, but then put it back in the drawer as the testing concept started to develop and take shape.

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Mid-April
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The pandemic goes on and on and the case numbers continue to rise. Hopefully the last fool politician will soon slowly realise that the Lockdown Light will only achieve the prolonging of more misery. The vaccination campaign is still embarrassingly slow and politicians are acting completely haphazardly. We receive further information that some crews continue to fold. We realise that we cannot keep thousands of people on standby for weeks in this increasingly bleak situation. We can’t assume that people can continue to put other things on hold in the dwindling hope of the mission’s success.

Our application receives no feedback, but the local authorities are doing their job. We’re all hoping it’ll work out after all but few really believe it will. We hear nothing from the state level - they’re all there ready to go but don’t take the plunge. There are precisely zero reactions or statements about festivals in the summer. The tourism lobby is putting a lot of pressure on the state government - they want to know what is happening. But then we don’t have lobbyists in the state capital, Schwerin, who can apply pressure on our behalf.

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April 17
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The emergency brake applied by the federal government is decided upon, but it has to go through parliament. Curfews receive criticism but are ultimately confirmed.

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April 23
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The emergency break is finalised, all pilot projects are suspended or terminated across the whole country, curfew is enacted, schools and nurseries are closed - the whole nine yards. Apart from the economy. Only the economy continues without restriction. Nevertheless, we still hope that the tightened measures will begin to take effect and that the situation will improve in the foreseeable future. But right now we need confidence, not just hope.
70,000 Fusionists, be they guests or team members, are still clinging on to the slight hope that something will happen. There are many, though, who are feeling increasingly insecure, have planned a holiday, orneed to forge ahead with other plans in case of cancellation. The pressure to make a decision is increasing from all sides and we’re still trapped into this emotional rollercoaster. On the other hand, we see that the end of June may well see case numbers around the level we need them to be at - that’s to say below 50 per 100,000. But it’s only something we can envisage and that’s not enough to convince ourselves that we can continue the collective fight for 2 x 35,000 festivals in six weeks’ time.
Despite all the inner turmoil, it is becoming increasingly clear to us that we will make a decision at the start of May and, if necessary, pull the ripcord, no matter how difficult that is for us to do.

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April 24
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We have only a small amount of water under the keel and run the risk of running ashore if we continue our course. We meet and it’s decided that MSY Kulturkosmos should first turn into the wind and reef the sails to assess the situation one final time and initiate preparations for an about turn. The larger crews are told discreetly that the organisational work will be put on hold for the time being.

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 April 29
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The planned meeting in Lärz with all crews on May 15 is sadly impossible in the current situation. A digital alternative is now being explored.
The numbers have actually started to decrease for two days now, but this trend feels like it’s at least 3-4 weeks too late - precisely the amount of time that politicians had been idly watching the third wave come about.

In Lärz, though, construction work continues unabated. The Turmbühne is already being developed for the second year. Thanks to a lot of hard work, a party arena has been created, surrounded by huge stands made of wood. The hall in which the arriving guests are to be tested has already been built on the airfield. An IT group is working intensely on the digital implementation of the concept.

We founded KUKO LAB. We’re currently building a test station at the entrance to Kulturkosmos, which should start to see activity in mid-May. It’s not only our crew members who are regularly PCR-tested here. The site is also open to residents, tourists, and businesses from across the region who can be tested here or have their samples analysed. What’s more, we will set up a public test centre offering free rapid tests to the local community. Our laboratory will arrive on May 15 and work will start immediately. From then on, we can offer PCR testing not just for our events but also for third parties and even tourism.

We’re doing all this, despite the fact that we can’t see Fusion 2021 really at this point. It would be nonsense if we didn’t tell ourselves everyday that even if we lose the first battle, we’re not giving up the war.
We are determined to host events in Lärz this summer. If we have to postpone Fusion for another year, Plan C will come into effect immediately. So we’re planning three smaller events with 10,000 guests each from mid-August. It’s only this seemingly realistic and sensible prospect which is stopping us all from jumping overboard.

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May 1
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Case numbers are falling but in Germany the intensive care units are still full and doctors and nurses are still working flat out. The state government is considering opening plans and the restart of tourism, but it’s clear there won’t be any festivals this summer.

In Berlin, over 20,000 people demonstrate on May 1, and in Liverpool and Australia thousands party together without a mask. The discussion about the rights of vaccinated and those who have recovered from COVID is in full swing. But MSY Kulturkosmos has stopped the engines and reefed the sails in the increasing certainty that none of the above will make any difference.

We have a duty to all those who need a decision in a timely manner. We see the costs increasing exponentially from now on and, at the same time, we do not foresee that we will get approval to host the festival. We know that many are still hoping, or just hoping that we won’t give up. We don’t know where our heads are at…

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May 6
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NDR reports that the Gesundheitsamt (health authority) had given approval for Fusion to go ahead, but had to deny this false report just hours later. The Ordnungsamt (regulatory authority) would have to give us permission, but their hands are tied by the ordinances of the state. The state government plays for time and avoids any type of statement indicating we’d need to cancel or the security to start planning.

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May 9
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Liberation is no longer coming and we have to change course now. With a heavy heart, we decide to postpone Fusion 2021 until next year. We will finish writing this logbook, have it translated and officially announce cancellation on May 12 at the latest. We hope that everyone will understand and all we can say at this point is that we are so sorry that we are unable to party with you all at the end of June. But we will not give up and are now getting started with the preparations of Plan C.

The three dates for Plan C are:

1st Round: August 20-22
2nd Round: August 27-29
3rd Round: September 17-19

We will send more information about this from mid-June.
There’ll be a new ticketing process for all three events. Advance ticket sales start on July 1.

We will not give up and we promise that we will dance together in Lärz this summer!

The Kulturkosmos Crew