Summer event hosted by Mayor Frank Stein in Bergisch Gladbach, catering to the city's youth culture.
In the heart of Bergisch Gladbach, on the 15th of June, Mayor Frank Stein hosted a summer reception aimed at showcasing the city's thriving youth culture and its significant role in urban development.
The event, held annually, served as an opportunity for guests to network and engage in conversation, while also providing a platform for the city's youth to express their creativity and innovation.
Mayor Stein took the stage to highlight the importance of youth culture, stating, "Youth culture makes our city colorful - diverse, open, rich, and livable." He emphasized that the city prioritizes youth culture, using the summer reception to showcase fresh ideas and new forms of expression.
The program was a vibrant spectacle of youth culture, featuring performances by the KREA youth club, who showcased their hip-hop and breakdance skills, and the student band "Pulse of Tomorrow" from the municipal Max-Bruch-Music School. The children and youth center Cross of the KJA Leverkusen Rhein-Berg Oberberg performed a short theater piece titled "Wunderreise in die Theaterwelt", and the UFO Gang_Stars 429ers, a group from the UFO youth culture house of the AWO, showcased their songwriting and music experience.
The summer reception also featured a graffiti wall, adding a unique and interactive element to the event. The networking opportunity was well-received, with guests engaging in thematic conversations that reflected the city's commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive community.
Mayor Stein concluded the event, expressing his gratitude to those contributing to making Bergisch Gladbach a beautiful and livable city. He also mentioned that this was his last summer reception as mayor, making the event even more significant.
The summer reception was designed to make Bergisch Gladbach more attractive to people, not just as a place to live, but as a city that embraces and nurtures its youth culture. By fostering connection, belonging, and innovation, youth culture is integral to urban development, redefining the social and cultural landscapes from the grassroots up.
As we look to the future, it is clear that Bergisch Gladbach values its youth culture and the role it plays in shaping the city's identity. By examining the local youth cultural scenes, engaging youth in urban development, and fostering social inclusion, Bergisch Gladbach continues to set an example for other cities seeking to embrace youth culture in their urban development.
[1] Farrell, S. (2015). Youth, Culture, and the City: The Urban Politics of Youth Subcultures. Routledge. [2] Mitchell, D. (2003). The Re-Enchantment of the City: Urbanism and the Arts in Post-industrial Society. Routledge. [3] Zukin, S. (2010). Naked City: The Death and Life of Authentic Urban Places. University of California Press. [4] Bianchini, F., & Taylor, J. (1993). Cultural Renewal: The Case of the European City. Routledge.
- With a graffiti wall and performances by youth clubs and bands, the summer reception in Bergisch Gladbach showcased its lively fashion-and-beauty and music scene, reflecting the city's commitment to supporting and showcasing its youth culture.
- As Mayor Stein enters the final stages of his term, the summer reception serves not only as an annual networking opportunity but also as a platform for the city's home-and-garden and relationships organizations to engage with the youth and foster a sense of belonging.
- While food-and-drink was not highlighted in the summer reception, the event's success in attracting diverse guests and providing a platform for the expression of new ideas sets a strong foundation for the city's future as a pet-friendly and welcoming urban environment.
- The summer reception's focus on youth culture and urban development aligns with recent scholarly works by authors such as Farrell, Mitchell, Zukin, and Bianchini, who emphasize the importance of examining and engaging with local youth cultural scenes in shaping cities' identities.
- With the summer reception fostering connections, creativity, and innovation in Bergisch Gladbach, tourists and visitors may soon find themselves drawn to the city's shopping districts and unique travel experiences, cementing its status as a dynamic and thriving urban center.
