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The Swan Café is resisting the mandate to shut down operations

Local patrons are employing signature collection forms and an online petition to preserve the 'Swane Café', a hub in Luisenviertel known for hosting various events. As per Café owner, Selly Wane, the establishment faces imminent closure at the end of the following week, mandated by the...

Advocacy efforts escalate for the 'Swane Cafe' in the Luisenviertel district, with petition drives...
Advocacy efforts escalate for the 'Swane Cafe' in the Luisenviertel district, with petition drives and an online appeal, as the establishment faces imminent closure due to a reported 'music ban' enforcement by local authorities, as per owner Selly Wane.

The Swan Café is resisting the mandate to shut down operations

The final call on the Swane Café's future remains uncertain. The Rundschau filed a written appeal to the city on June 15th, 2025, challenging the impending closure of this beloved social and cultural hotspot.

Selly Wane, the café's founder and heart, finds herself in a tough spot, but the tide of support from the people of Wuppertal has given her a newfound resolve. "My initial reaction was one of despair – but the countless messages of encouragement received in recent days have shown me that the Swane is more than my project," Wane shares, with her legal representation, Dr. Rolf Köster, by her side. "This café has evolved over the years into a vital meeting point for people from all walks of life in Wuppertal. We won't give up without a fight!"

Over the years, the Swane Café has become a melting pot for art, music, and discussion, hosting a multitude of events, artistic programs, workshops, and open encounters that have attracted people from around the globe. The café's programs have included concerts, readings, film screenings, art shows, dance performances, and discussion rounds – and the guests are an integral part of the experience [1, 2].

Regrettably, the public order office has previously executed noise measurements, leading to restrictions on concerts and even background music. However, there were only two exceptions to these rules, a pre-booked birthday party and a brief instance of music played from a machine while cleaning. Selly Wane questions whether complaints from neighbors are truly about the background music [3].

The café has also given birth to many incredible initiatives, such as Colour in Wuppertal & Bergisches Land, a collective founded by Kyebo Kafuta, which offers a platform for creativity and collaboration between artists of diverse backgrounds [4]. Kafuta's personal journey with the Swane Café illustrates its transformative power, as the café provided the support that helped him succeed in his own ventures, including securing funding for a children's camp and hosting a festival in cooperation with the Pina-Bausch Center [4].

Wane's contributions to the local community have been recognized by the Mayor Uwe Schneidwind, who awarded her for her website in 2023. The citation praised her work in sustainability, intercultural cooperation, and promoting equal opportunities using the café as a platform for workshops and events on these topics. In 2017, Wane launched the 'Cookin' Hope - Swane' project, focusing on helping women with migration backgrounds gain culinary experience and employment opportunities [5].

As the battle to save the Swane Café unfolds, supporters of the café have rallied together, launching a petition to preserve this vibrant cultural space. Kyebo Kafuta, the petition's initiator, highlights the importance of the Swane as a space where ideas are born, people are connected, and projects are made possible – and that losing it would mean losing a space that has given so many a platform for growth and inspiration [6].

The case remains at the forefront of discussion in Wuppertal, and its outcome, both legally and socially, will undoubtedly impact the city's cultural landscape. Here's hoping that this cherished gathering place for so many will find a way to continue its mission of fostering unity, creativity, and dialogue.

Selly Wane, alongside Dr. Rolf Köster, is determined to fight for the continued existence of the Swane Café, a home-and-garden for art, music, and discussion, which has become a transformative force in the lifestyle of Wuppertal's residents. Kyebo Kafuta, initiator of a petition to preserve the Swane, emphasizes the importance of the café as a space where ideas flourish, connections are made, and projects come to life, making it a vital part of the city's cultural and social landscape.

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