Festival asks volunteers to wear branded shirts to public meeting

Music in Lejet has asked local volunteers to attend a public meeting wearing festival T-shirts, drawing criticism before around 1,000 people gather to discuss the festival’s plans, DR reports.

The festival wants permission to hold more events than it is currently allowed to stage. Local residents fear the expansion could increase noise from the festival grounds.

Pernille Tranberg, who has a holiday home 400 metres from Vejby Camping, where the festival is held, is among those behind the group “No thanks to an experience centre in Vejby”.

“Having them come dressed in a particular uniform is perhaps a little silly,” she said. “The idea is that we should have a serious and factual debate.”

Peter Sajith, who has volunteered at Music in Lejet for eight years, plans to attend the meeting in an orange festival T-shirt. He said the volunteers did not intend to provoke anyone.

“This is a shirt that symbolises our community and solidarity,” he said.

Festival director Andreas Grauengaard described the gesture as a harmless way to show support for the festival.

“I don’t think a T-shirt makes much difference either way,” he said. “Let’s meet with an open mind. There are many opinions, but let’s find a good middle ground where we can meet.”

The meeting has been arranged by Gribskov Municipality and starts at 6 p.m. Politicians will begin work next week on a new local plan that could allow the festival to expand.

Music in Lejet is held at Vejby Camping, close to both permanent residents in Vejby and holiday-home areas near Vejby Strand.