- Title: Works on the Lorelei rock kick off amid controversy
- Date: 29th September 2016
- Summary: LORELEI, GERMANY (SEPTEMBER 29, 2016) (REUTERS) **** WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY **** VARIOUS OF THE LORELEI ROCK WOMAN-SHAPED STATUE OF LORELEI, THE MYTH MAP SHOWING LORELEI ROCK VARIOUS OF LORELEI MAYOR AT OPENING CEREMONY SIGN SHOWING NEW CONSTRUCTION WORKS LORELEI MAYOR SHOVELLING SAND MARKING THE BEGINNING OF FUTURE WORKS ON THE SITE PEOPLE APPLAUDING (SOUNDBITE) (German) MAYOR OF LORELEI MUNICIPALITY ASSOCIATIONS, WERNER GROSS, SAYING: "We have spent a lot of time on this and made a big effort to make the whole thing work so that one can also live here. The Lorelei is not just any place, it is a World Heritage site, the locomotive of the region and we of course have to take particular care of it." CLOSE UP OF WHITE ROSES ON COFFIN PROTESTERS AT SITE CLOSE UP OF PICTURE OF LORELEI ROCK NEXT TO COFFIN (SOUNDBITE) (German) PROTESTER, STEFAN HIPPCHEN, SAYING: "What brings people here is actually nature that is what people here want to see. They don't want any track, no, they just want to be in nature. That something needs to be done is something we all know, because you have to do something everywhere. That is not the problem. We are for it because it shouldn't fall into ruin here, and it should be interesting but not this way, not in a way that erodes nature." BOATS SAILING ON RHINE RIVER WOMAN WATCHING ROCK MAN WORKING AT VIEWPOINT LORELEI ROCK SEEN FROM VIEWPOINT MAN WALKING TOWARDS VISITOR CENTRE POSTER READING "LORELEI, A GERMAN MYTH", AT ENTRANCE TO VISITOR CENTRE (SOUNDBITE) (German) RESIDENT, ROLF BUECKEN, SAYING: "I actually consider it quite positive as more things should be done to encourage tourism and attract tourists. Because tourist-wise the Lorelei is not exploited at all, and it is Germany's most famous attraction." (SOUNDBITE) (German) TOURIST, ASTRATH ALTMANN, SAYING: "It is probably feasible to do more." (SOUNDBITE) (German) TOURIST, AGATHA ALTMANN, SAYING: "For instance, they have big concerts here, and they erected a temporary stage, which I personally don't like at all but you can't have everything the way you want it. But when it comes to the cable, as my partner said, then I think it is quite bad as it goes under the stage, and if you then want to take a picture then you have a big mast and a cable in it. That is quite significant of what happens there." VARIOUS OF ORIGINAL STAGE
- Embargoed: 14th October 2016 16:46
- Keywords: Lorelei rock legend
- Location: LORELEI, GERMANY
- City: LORELEI, GERMANY
- Country: Germany
- Topics: Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA00151MCBQ1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Construction works to turn Germany's most famous rock, the "Lorelei", into a leisure center kicked off on Thursday (September 29) amid protests that claim the project is too aggressive against nature.
The famous rock, which served as inspiration for artists over the years, is located on the Rhine River and is a popular tourist attraction, not only for its beauty but for its myth, which has inspired famous German tales.
In 1801, German writer Clemens Brentano wrote the story of a beautiful girl, Lorelei, who was accused of bewitching men and causing their death. At the end of the story, she climbs the rock to have a last view of the Rhine and falls to her own death.
Poet Heinrich Heine adapted Brentano's story into his 1824 poem "The Lorelei," in which a woman sits atop the Rhine rock, singing and combing her long hair. Her beauty distracts the captains of passing by ships, which crash against the rocks.
The Lorelei rock is currently home to a concert hall, a hostel and other facilities, but the new leisure center is set to include a central promenade, a path to the top of the cliff, an outdoor music venue and even a new hotel, according to local reports.
"We have spent a lot of time on this and made a big effort to make the whole thing work so that one can also live here. The Lorelei is not just any place, it is a World Heritage site, the locomotive of the region and we of course have to take particular care of it," mayor of Lorelei Municipality Association, Werner Gross, told Reuters at the end of the opening ceremony, adding that over a hundred trees were to be logged.
The move has angered some residents who claim the plan is too aggressive and showed up at the opening carrying white coffins with the picture of the rock up front.
"What brings people here is actually nature, that is what people here want to see. They don't want any track, no, they just want to be in nature. That something needs to be done is something we all know, because you have to do something everywhere. That is not the problem. We are for it because it shouldn't fall into ruin here, and it should be interesting but not this way, not in a way that erodes nature," Stefan Hippchen said.
Earlier this month, the same group of protesters set up nearly 200 white crosses reading "RIP Lorelei 2016" at the site.
But others see it as a positive way to attract tourists.
"I actually consider it quite positive as more things should be done to encourage tourism and attract tourists. Because tourist-wise the Lorelei is not exploited at all, and it is Germany's most famous attraction," Rolf Buecken said.
The current music venue, which was built during the Nazi period and has served big rock bands like U2, Metallica or Red Hot Chili Peppers, is set to get millionaire update.
The existing camping site, hotel and hostel, which sees 16,000 overnights per year, are set to be closed to make way for a new hotel. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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