Now the city of Cologne gets a Dirk Bach Square

Queers all over Germany were not the only ones shocked by Dirk Bach's death at the time. The early nature was much more than "just" the presenter at the side of Sonja Zietlow, who led through the jungle camp. The artist repeatedly stood up for the community, increased its visibility and showed early on that being gay and working in the public eye by no means have to be mutually exclusive.

The Aidshilfe Köln and the Centrum Schwule Geschichte had suggested naming a square after the queer icon. Now the city center district council has agreed to just that. According to the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger, it came to a majority decision. From this it emerged that the square directly in front of the Cologne Schauspielhaus (which, by the way, has not yet been named) is to be renamed Dirk Back Platz.

Dirk Bach remains unforgotten

Not all voted for the motion

For fans and companions of the artist it might be hard to imagine, but: Not everyone voted for renaming the nameless square to Dirk Bach Platz. Among others, it was representatives of the CDU and the SPD who would have liked to see an alternative. However, they were not concerned with generally standing in the way of a "Dirk Bach Platz.

However, you could have imagined this one better in a different place. But now it is official. The area in front of the Cologne Schauspielhaus will be called Dirk Bach Platz in the future. The Green district mayor Hupke, among others, is responsible for the fact that it could finally come so far and the plan could be put into action.

He had already stressed in an interview that Bach was exceptional and very committed to both society and social issues. In addition, he had had a big heart. And many of his fans should also be sure that "Dicki," as Sonja Zietlow always liked to call Dirk Bach, more than deserved this honor.

Dirk Bach remains unforgotten

Who was Dirk Bach?

Dirk Bach had become known to the broad TV audience at the latest since "Ich bin ein Star - Holt mich hier raus!". However, his stage and TV career started much earlier. In 2012, the entertainer died unexpectedly. The diagnosis was "heart failure".

He did not hide the fact that he was gay. On the contrary! He was one of those people who were very open about their sexual orientation at a comparatively early age. Already at the end of the 1990s he married his partner, at that time in Florida, and never tired of standing up for the rights of queers. He managed this not only through his appearance and statements, but also through numerous donations.

His grave is located at Melaten Cemetery in the Lindenthal district of Cologne. Since 2014, it has been adorned with a sculpture of the German Comedy Award (category "Best Presentation"). This refers to his co-hosting for "Ich bin ein Star - Holt mich hier raus!". Actually, it should have been presented to Sonja Zietlow and Daniel Hartwich in 2013. However, both rejected it, saying that Dirk Bach deserved the award. The trophy was painted pink and is protected with the help of a glass box. And although the funeral took place in a close family circle at the time, many fans still come by here today to remember a very special person.

 

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