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Semper Opera Ball: Moderator Judith Rakers wants to cancel the contract

politics SemperOpernball

Controversy over Al Sisi tribute – Judith Rakers terminates moderation contract

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As of January 29, 2020 | Reading time: 3 minutes

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Al Sisi honors at Semperopernball – Rakers announces consequences

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Egypt’s President al-Sisi was awarded an order by the Dresden Opera Ball Club – now many politicians and celebrities distance themselves. Judith Rakers, who is to moderate the ball, also speaks out.

The Dresden Opera Ball Association reacts to the massive criticism and distances itself from the honor for Egypt’s President al-Sisi. The moderator Judith Rakers, who was actually scheduled, still pulls the rip cord.

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“Tagesschau” spokeswoman Judith Rakers asked for the termination of her moderation contract with the Dresden Semper Opera Ball. Rakers wrote on Wednesday night on Twitter, The MDR said that it had “full understanding of Rakers’ decision to submit their moderation.” Nevertheless, the broadcaster intends to continue broadcasting the event.

This had become a political event when the order was awarded to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. “I am very irritated by this award, and since then I have been talking about the consequences that I would like to take as the moderator of the ball,” the “Tagesschau” spokeswoman said on Tuesday.

The opera ball club presented al-Sisi to the Order of St. George on Sunday despite public criticism in Cairo. The former general and army chief came to power in 2013 after a military coup and was sworn in as president in 2014. Since then he has been tough on opposition figures and critics; freedom of expression and assembly are severely restricted.

Rakers, 44, was supposed to lead through the evening alongside pop singer Roland Kaiser, 67. Kaiser also considered the consequences. The “rushing cultural event” had “become a political one,” Kaiser wrote on Facebook. Since this award was announced, he has been “in discussions about the consequences that I will probably take”.

Late apology from the ball club boss

Ballverein boss Hans-Joachim Frey apologized for the award ceremony. “We would like to apologize for this award ceremony and distance ourselves from it. The award was a mistake, ”said Frey in Dresden on Tuesday. “We are aware of the irritation that has arisen and we deeply regret it.”

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opinion Egypt’s President al-Sisi

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Frey had initially argued on Monday that the ball was a cultural event and not a political event and so in a different role. It is about “creating dialogue with the language of culture”. Africa is important for Europe and al-Sisi the President of the African Union. Al-Sisi is thus the contact for all of Africa and the culture of bridge builders.

One is of course aware of how al-Sisi deals with critics and journalists. “We take that very seriously.” But al-Sisi also ensures stability in Egypt, the development of society, culture and education. One had secured itself beforehand, also with the Saxon State Chancellery. “The award ceremony to Mr. al-Sisi is considered unproblematic,” said Frey.

Hans-Joachim Frey (left), artistic director of the Semperoper Ball, presented Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi with the Order of St. George in Cairo – –

Hans-Joachim Frey (left), artistic director of the Semperoper Ball, presented Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi with the Order of St. George in Cairo

Source: dpa / –

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Saxony’s Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer (CDU) had declared that the order award should be respected as a matter for the ball. “Al-Sisi is not a democrat, there are legal violations, but this man is doing an important stabilizing work in the region,” said government spokesman Ralph Schreiber.

“We think this decision is wrong”

The MDR said that despite the understandable, clear criticism of the award ceremony, the Semperoper ball remains an important piece of culture from Central Germany, which inspires many people. “For this reason too, we are sticking to a broadcast this year. (…) At the same time, we will critically examine future cooperation with the ball club, ”announced the broadcaster.

The Dresden Semperoper “expressly disapproves” of the decision of the ball club and its chairman, said director Peter Theiler. This leads to “a massive irritation” in the house, which “as the leading cultural institution always takes a stand for peace, tolerance and human rights”. Theiler also sees a need to talk to political decision-makers in the Free State.

“Order against sense and reason”

“The Semper Order could be renamed Order against sense and reason,” said DGB Saxony chief Markus Schlimbach. The Dresden member of parliament Stephan Kühn (Greens) wrote in an open letter to Frey: “You roll out the red carpet for a dictator and damage the best night of the year.”

In 2009, the award of the then “Saxon Order of Thanks” to Russian President Vladimir Putin (2009) caused discord. The undoped price is a replica of a baroque pendant with Saint George as a dragon slayer from the Green Vault in Dresden. Saint George stood for the victory of good over evil.

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