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CNN Live Saturday

Love Parade Draws Revelers to Berlin

Aired July 13, 2002 - 17:25   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Well, when Germany began hosting the Love Parade 13 years ago, its founder said the idea was to promote tolerance, respect and understanding between nations.

As Stephanie Halasz reports, some say the parade's heyday is gone and now it's just a big old street party.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

STEPHANIE HALASZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Birds do it. Bees do it. Even cowgirls do it. Go to Berlin's Love Parade, that is. Again the huge event attracted techno music lovers from all over the world.

Bridgett (ph), a sex telephone operator during more normal hours, and her husband, have come here for three years.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The people are here very relaxed, cool and it's party time for two days long.

HALASZ: Manue (ph) is an army soldier who dances go-go in his spare time. He is proud to say he designed his costume himself.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The people look at this, and they say whoa, what's that? and it's my way to do a show.

HALASZ: The Love Parade is criticized every year for producing too much trash and destroying the large Tiergarten Park in which it takes place. But the organizers maintain the parade does a lot to help create a global community.

(on camera): The theme of this year's Love Parade is excess peace. No one we asked could tell us what that means. Some say they're here to demonstrate against war. Others are just here to party.

(voice-over): And they do. The young, the glamorous, those barely dressed. They won't stop dancing until the weekend is over. And by then, everyone and everyone's ear drums will deserve a break. Stephanie Halasz, CNN, Berlin.

WHITFIELD: I'm not saying a thing.

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