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On Saturday, Zurich’s Hallenstadion looks like a fortress. The otherwise strict access controls will be further tightened. Police and other security forces will be everywhere. The reason: former US President Barack Obama (61) stops in Switzerland for a lecture and conversation.
The city police of Zurich, the Hallenstadion and organizer Streetlife International in Berlin are silent about what the controls will look like and to what extent the US secret service will be involved. “No comment” is the answer everywhere on demand. Michael Walker (42), spokesman for the city police, only adds to Blick: “The operation will be discussed in advance with all security services involved. And it is agreed who will take on which role.”
Picky rules
The preparations are in full swing. Event manager Nader Korayeim, who otherwise brings rappers like Drake or Nicki Minaj to Europe, says to the “Tages-Anzeiger”: “It’s really complicated because nothing is left to chance: the number of steps in the hall is counted, the security measures in every city must be fulfilled, and so forth.”
Obama is also picky about the photos that are taken. “Basically, with Obama we have to coordinate every ad in advance with the agency in Berlin and get everything approved, but that’s common and normal for most big artists these days. You only publish photos that you agreed with the management. »
Zurich beats London and Paris
There is a very simple reason why he brought Obama to Zurich, as Korayeim explains in the Tages-Anzeiger. “It came from a conversation I had with a friend of mine. He works right next to Obama’s office, so I found out that his team was planning a speaker tour in Australia. I immediately saw the opportunity and started working to bring him to Europe.”
In addition to Zurich, Obama will also perform in Amsterdam and Berlin. Paris, London and Stockholm were also under discussion. Korayeim does not say why these cities did not stand a chance. “For us, Zurich is one of the most relevant cities in Europe, with international flair, financial strength and many intellectuals,” he says.
According to ticket seller Viagogo, the Hallenstadion has a capacity of 13,000 for the Obama event. Visitors pay between 59 and 564 francs for a ticket. A face-to-face meeting with a joint photo costs CHF 2,500 extra.
Apparently this is simply too expensive for many. Because Korayeim does not assume that the events will be sold out. However, after a “reasonable” presale in Zurich and Amsterdam, there is at least “a reasonable occupation in the halls”.
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
