Pastor stops controversial rave in Vienna church – what now?

Pastor stops controversial rave in Vienna church – what now?

A planned “church rave” caused a stir in Vienna-Alsergrund. The event at Canisius Church, scheduled for early May, was expected to feature a dance party with electronic music, light shows and more. Tickets have recently become available and the organizers announced that there will be "Two Floors. Two Worlds. Techno. Hard Dance". Despite the promising advertising and secure income, doubts have now arisen about the event's implementation.

The parish provisional John Njenga Nganga made it clear: Although the event was organized with the agreement of the church, the approval criteria were not fully adhered to. The background is that he was originally asked for permission for an event with “electronic music”. The concrete transformation of the idea into a “rave” was not known, which was unexpected. There are great concerns in the parish because similar, less controversial “candlelight concerts” took place in August 2023. Those responsible therefore assumed that it was a similar type of event.

Issues with approval

The decision to cancel church clubbing depends on regulatory approval requirements. These are necessary to ensure that an event is public or otherwise impacts the public. According to the legal situation, such approvals must be obtained at an early stage in order to take possible requirements and regulations into account. In the case of the Church Rave, the parish provisionalist stated that no application for approval had been received to date. The requirements also require a longer lead time, which is no longer the case as the event is scheduled for the late evening hours from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m.

In addition, there are concerns about possible disruptions for residents. The organizers had emphasized during the application process that they respect the church as a holy place and that the event should take place in accordance with this idea. But while ticket sales continue and the first tickets have already sold out, many users are expressing their concerns in the comment columns of Instagram posts about the appropriateness of such a celebration in a church.

Different requirements depending on the event

Events like the planned rave usually require multiple permits, especially if they use public spaces or cause noise. These permits vary depending on the region and type of event. Additional requirements could arise from the type of music or planned activities, which also applies to the church rave. Events that do not take place in meeting places approved by building regulations often even require special permits. The planned event therefore requires an intensive review of the legal framework.

If there is any further uncertainty regarding the required permits, it is advisable to seek legal advice. The parish of Canisius is faced with the challenge of both maintaining the spiritual framework of the church and taking legal requirements into account. The outcome of this matter remains to be seen as debate continues over the appropriateness of such events in churches.