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New beginning in Blankensee: Queer couple plans cultural hotspot!
A queer couple is renovating the historic “Erbkrug” in Blankensee near Neustrelitz and creating a place for art and encounters. Documentary on June 17th.
New beginning in Blankensee: Queer couple plans cultural hotspot!
After more than 20 years in the vibrant metropolis of Berlin, Christian Arnold Krüger and his fiancé Jens have dared to move to the country. They move to the picturesque town of Blankensee near Neustrelitz, where they renovate the historic “Erbkrug”, a building from 1742. This heritage has been in the Krüger family for six generations and will soon function as a meeting place that combines art, culture and grain. From the end of this year, four comfortably furnished apartments will be offered here, which will not only attract travelers but also create a queer-friendly place, about an hour by train from Berlin. How Strelitzius reports, their exciting journey will also be captured in the documentary “Queer in der Province”, which will be broadcast on rbb television on June 17th at 9 p.m.
Reality of life and challenges
For many queer people, the decision to live in the country brings with it both freedom and challenges. From a current one ZDF.reportage shows that more than 9 million people in Germany identify as queer. While some move to larger cities to experience more acceptance, others rediscover the rural idyll. Christian Krüger has been establishing a Christopher Street Day (CSD) in the Mecklenburg Lake District for six years. Despite the growing visibility, the CSD still faces headwinds on social networks. An outstanding goal of Krüger's commitment is to make queer life beyond the metropolis visible and to promote new forms of community.
The mood in rural regions is often ambivalent. According to a report by the Hesse show Queer people in rural areas often experience discrimination and exclusion. David Muniz-Hernandez reports on his own dramatic experiences when he was thrown out by his parents in Mexico because of his sexual orientation. He is an example of the difficulties that many queer people have to go through.
Together for normality and acceptance
Activities such as the queer beach volleyball tournament planned for June 28 provide a positive counterpoint. The organizers are still accepting registrations. Circles like Queer-Strelitz e.V., founded by Christian Arnold Krüger, actively support events that promote diversity and tolerance in the region. People like GiGi, who returned to Neustrelitz after 15 years, are also helping to make the city more colorful and diverse. GiGi identifies as lesbian and nonbinary and wants to promote tolerance and diversity through her commitment.
The different realities of queer people's lives in rural areas are as diverse as the people themselves. While some are open to change, there are also voices that report inner isolation. On the one hand, committed individuals and associations are trying to create a network for queer people, but on the other hand, there are still reservations and discrimination that need to be overcome.
Overall, Krüger and Jens' careers reflect the courage to make a new beginning, which is important not only for them, but for the entire queer life in rural regions. They want to create a space where art and culture as well as queer encounters can meet. An exciting future lies ahead - not just for the couple, but for everyone who wants to make life in rural areas a little brighter and more colorful.