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Click on Love Parade to read about the event's triumphant return, or read on for a full history...
The biggest dance event in the world peaked in 1999, when an estimated one and a half million ravers flocked onto the streets of Berlin for one almighty celebration of love and hedonism. It was a fitting end to a decade which saw dance music explode from the underground and dominate airwaves and dancefloors alike for ten heady years. As the millenium ushered in a new era however the Love Parade, and dance music itself, began to decline in popularity. In 2002 and 2003 a mere 750,000 turned up for the event and sponsors began to get cold feet. When two major backers pulled out, organisers were forced to cancel the 2004 and 2005 Parades. Only time would tell whether the Berlin Love Parade was a spent force - a dinosaur of a past age; or a sleeping knight, ready to awake when the world needs him most!
The Love Parade began life as something of a political movement way back in the summer of '89, and four months before the fall of the Berlin Wall. It was organised on the initiative of Matthias Roeingh, aka "Dr. Motte", a DJ of the Berlin underground scene who wanted to use the international language of music as a medium for spreading peace and love, and promoting world unity. In his words: "Music knows no boundaries or nationalities." Some have argued that that these philanthropic sentiments were always secondary to the primary purpose of throwing a massive drug-fuelled, techno orgy.
Whatever the original motives, the Love Parade grew exponentially from its humble beginnings in 1989 - with one truck and 150 people - into the world's biggest dance festival. It became an event that completely took over Berlin for one day of every summer, right up until 2003. In fact by 1996 the event had already grown so big that organisers moved it from the Ku'damm (Kurfürstendamm) shopping avenue in Charlottenburg to the Tiegarten Park, where the expansive Strasse Des 17. Juni could better accommodate the masses.
The Love Parade usually started about 2pm, going on to the evening and then splitting into innumerable afterparties at night as the whole city was transformed into a vast club. At its peak the Parade featured fifty gigantic trucks where up to 250 DJs would blast out house and techno to the expectant revellers. Two common tactics for enjoying the day were to either walk beside a certain truck that you liked the sound of, or to stay still and soak up the different vibes of each van and its followers. The liberal, hedonistic crowd soon became famous for their inventive dress sense, exhibitionistic - and often kinky - tendencies, and for their 'back-in-the-day' rave costumes, which would include furry leg-warmers, glow-sticks and of course plenty of whistles. The festival's original cries for love and tolerance were rarely impeached and incidences of crime were always surprisingly low for such a big event.
Despite it's enormous success in the '90s, in the mid-noughties the Love Parade was in serious danger of submerging completely. Originally billed as a political demonstration, the German state had been legally responsible for policing and clearing up after the event. However in 2001, after years of legal wrangling, the courts ruled that the Parade had become a commercial event and was responsible for paying for itself. At first organisers rose to the challenge and sponsors were found, but its declining popularity and perceived significance meant that, since 2004, the required capital could not be raised. There were many that thought the Love Parade would never raise its magnanimous head in Berlin again...
Thank the Gods above though, these pessimistic forecasts were banished in 2006 when the Love Parade made a surprise - and triumpant comeback. The organisers found new sponsorship and a staggering 1,200,000 people took to the capital's streets to celebrate the event's return. It seems that there is hope yet for peace, love and hedonism on Planet Earth!
Finally, if you can't make it to Berlin for the 2007 Love Parade, then just remember that the legacy of the Love Parade now stretches out to a number of amazing cities around the world: Santiago, Acapulco, San Francisco and Tel-Aviv were amongst hosts for parties in 2005 and 2006!
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 | | "its sat 19th july- ul ave to go for near a week though for all the parties :D canny wait :D" | jenna
United Kingdom
Apr.09.2008
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "Yeah this is a bitchen PArade!!!! When is the next one?!!!" | nicki burke
United States
Apr.02.2008
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "Realy into my techno music- used to be a dancer- always heard about the love parade and always wanted to go, i told myself this year was the year :D going from the wednesday to the tues and cant wait :D" | Jenna
United Kingdom
Mar.08.2008
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "I think 1.5 mill could be there.Last year in Essen the date was released to late so alot couldnt fly in ...Im partying friday night then heading back monday ..How did you know about the loveparade if you dont mind me asking?" |
United Kingdom
Mar.07.2008
rates this page 3/5
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| | "cheers. yes 4 of us headers are flyin from Northern Ireland to London and then on to Dortmund. Do you think they wil get 1.5 million turning up at it? and regarding drink- do you bring your own alcohol????? i plan to party from the wednesday i get there til the tuesday :)" | Jena
United Kingdom
Feb.27.2008
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "It runs on till 12pm but there will be after parties going into late morning Jenna" | rhurbarb
United Kingdom
Feb.25.2008
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "It runs on till 12pm but there will be after parties going into late morning Jenna" | rhurbarb
United Kingdom
Feb.25.2008
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "yes you will love it ..Its a free open festival you just walk in and stagger out....guess your flying with easyjet cause that seems to be the only airline flying from uk" | rhurbarb
United Kingdom
Feb.25.2008
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "yes you will love it ..Its a free open festival you just walk in and stagger out....guess your flying with easyjet cause that seems to be the only airline flying from uk" | rhurbarb
United Kingdom
Feb.25.2008
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "I have booked flights for the love parade this year. Can i ask, I definately dont need a ticket do i? and does it run on all night?
I DJ techno and house music- so do you all think i will love the love parade???
what about alcohol, do you bring your own??" | Jenna
United Kingdom
Feb.24.2008
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "hey Ben from Australia why do you go to the love parade if you dont even like elektronik music!! it is obvious that you wouldnt like it , i also was there and it was awesome !! best party ever and i hope it can be in berlin again " | alexandra
Colombia
Jan.17.2008
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "i went last year it it the most boring thing in the world the music was shit and the girls were ugly" | ben
Australia
Jan.10.2008
rates this page 1/5 |
| | "I was at the Love Parade in 2001, and I must tell you: I surrended! I didn't like tecno, and I still don't, but this party is so massive, so increadibly big and beautifull. I miss it very much when I see the pictures and videos...
I hope to be back there one day.
Long life to the Love Parade!!!
Cheers!" | Manu
Portugal
Dec.01.2007
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "I was at the Love Parade in 2001, and I must tell you: I surrended! I didn't like tecno, and I still don't, but this party is so massive, so increadibly big and beautifull. I miss it very much when I see the pictures and videos...
I hope to be back there one day.
Long life to the Love Parade!!!
Cheers!" | Manu
Portugal
Dec.01.2007
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "I love Love Parade, and i think that I'm not old to dance, drink, and get crazy in 38!!!!" | Alexandra
Montenegro
Nov.12.2007
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "hi ,i am from iran.
i love all people in world,
i like to go to berlin for love parade
i saw it from vox tv
i love freedom.i dislike ahmadinejad
my people like all
bye" | arash
United States
Nov.01.2007
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "I really want to go to th Berlin Love Parade! Maybe next year!" | Zen
United States
Oct.19.2007
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "aahhh yeah!!! Das great!! IDONEUS!!!" | andrew
United States
Sep.11.2007
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "I think the loveparade is the only place where anyone can go to express their love for music and each other...its AWSOME" | justin s
United States
Sep.05.2007
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "The Love Parade is a Magical event that noone in this world should miss! It represents Love, Unity, Happiness, and Humanity in the best shape and form ever in the world. YOU HAVE TO GO TO AT LEAST ONE IN GERMANY THE BIRTH PLACE!!" | Mil
United States
Aug.15.2007
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "My rating of this page is poor because of some of this peoples brokened this magical atmosphere.I read all the comments smoking meenwhile some good sh*t,and i laughed many times on their opinions.i don't want to comment others but it seems to me that i have to deal with some of you people who don't have anything else to do just to critisize.Srry first for my bad english,but i'm a mad raver from romania,who was borned for electronic music,and desperately need some good material every single day(believe me i know you are many like me)But think about it,i'm busting my ass for further informations,not to mention financiary money and organisations of our small group who represent us from our poor country on the bigest electronic dance street parade worldwide,and then some of u came with questions & doubts.NOOO this year the loveparade will go on.the exact date is on 25 august 2007,in a big cultural town named ESSEN,near DORTMUND.If u don't believe me guys & chicks verify me on the official site of the LP.U will find many other details(that just in the case if u are really really interested of this party,not just make bad comments & critics).Just think about it this is the first time for me to make my dream come true and make it reality.Shame on those who went to LP once or twice as i read it and still judging this party.The message still remained L.O.V.E.& PEACE,understanding between this variety of nations unified under the flag of happinesss,joy fun,instead of violence and other bad behaviour.Finally what more i can say soem of u folks really disappoint me(for me people u are not real loveparade fans,shame on u.)Anyway ALL YOU PEOPLE u are welcomed on this mass party with warmness.Musicaly speaking u will sure find you're style.In ESSEN i think this will be the first time when will be dancing under the sunshine of techno,hard house,clubbin',progressive,minimal,electro,d & b,trance u.v.a.i will waiting for u people patiently like i'm waiting for this mega event(1 month remained).If some of u need a talk,just send me e-mails and u will receive a qucik response from me as soon as possible.For those who work hard,this is a great opportunity to relax & chill,and to forget all your problems.Until then love rullz & peace for all my soundloverz!!!!!!!!!!!!! " | VERTYGO
Romania
Jul.22.2007
rates this page 1/5 |
| | "The love parade in Berlin is the gratest show that I ever saw." | Tany
Russia
Jul.20.2007
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "OMG.. this year the love parade was in my beatufiful magic diverse latin american country of VENEZUELA.. the 25 of june.. and i was beautiful beside some oraganitations issues that made the event finised earyer than expected =( 6pm(it supossed 2 star 8am/finish 8pm) still it was so magic and beautil so much music and people.. really wath venezuela needed !!! =D
yeeeiii viva el amor y la paz electronica ;) ^^" | rebk
Venezuela
Jul.07.2007
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "I went to the Love Parade last year and I have to admit I think about it everyday. What a show Berlin the city put on for us. Thank you Berliners!" | bonkerz
Australia
May.13.2007
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "O-man...christ on a bike the love parade is so amazing...picture it as a party in the stars and that everyone is invited. went to the 2003 parade and the 2006 parade! AAAAmaziung!" | Lilboyblue
United States
May.08.2007
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "I am still waiting to see when and where the Berlin Love Parade is being held? Does anyone know? I need a place to dance and party outside and go wild with a lot of people. We just can't do it in Los Angeles. Please email me and let me know. I arrive in Europe july 2nd. Thanks Patgenken@yahoo.com" | Patrick Gerald Kennedy
United States
May.04.2007
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "the Loveparade is the greatest party in the world, is something magical that all the people should live and understand, the magic of electronic music, the spirit of it and how it shows the world how it should be. love never dies, as loveparade is going to be alwyas in our hearts as berlin is for all the people that go there. " | Daedube
Colombia
May.01.2007
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "There in the 90's wot a pukka time!!!" | Adrian
United Kingdom
Mar.27.2007
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "ma live is
sex+love+girl" | 50 p
United States
Mar.13.2007
rates this page 1/5 |
| | "Love parade is the best way to have a relax!I LOVE that kind of relaxation!!!!" | dmitry
Latvia
Mar.08.2007
rates this page 5/5 |
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