Germany: The Armed Forces said goodbye to A. Merkel with hymns and … East German punk

“Germany’s 16 years as chancellor have been full of events – often very big challenges – both political and human,” said Chancellor Angela Merkel, who was visibly moved during a military ceremony in her honor by the German Armed Forces. the Germans “to see the world from the point of view of others”.

At the ceremony of the “Great Silence”, which has its roots in the 16th century and is reserved only for federal presidents, chancellors and ministers of defense, the Armed Forces, in the light of the torches and the sounds of the military band, said “goodbye” to ” chancellor, who is leaving the Chancellery next week after four terms. In the presence of Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the next Chancellor Olaf Soltz and other officials – significantly less than usual due to the pandemic – Angela Merkel thanked the Germans for their trust and life “with lightness of heart” and be optimistic about the future of their country. “Many crises have shown the importance of international co-operation,” Merkel said, referring specifically to the coronavirus pandemic, which “showed how important it really is to have confidence in political leadership, science and public debate.” Democracy, he continued, “is also based on trust, solidarity, listening to each other and even facts.” “I would like to encourage you in the future to look at the world from the point of view of others,” he said.

She chose the ceremony to take place in the courtyard of the Ministry of Defense, headquarters of the Imperial German Navy in 1914, the headquarters of German officers who attempted to overthrow Adolf Hitler in July 1944. The leaders of the plan were executed there and on the spot today monument to the German resistance.

Angela Merkel is the third chancellor to receive this honor. Helmut Kohl, Chancellor from 1982 to 1998, was the first and the ceremony was held in his hometown, Rhineland-Palatinate, at a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Similarly, Gerhard Schroeder, Chancellor from 1998 to 2005, had chosen the ceremony to take place in his hometown of Hanover. Helmut Kohl had dedicated his speech to the importance of peace and freedom and to the European idea, while Mr Schroeder had chosen not to speak.

The honored person chooses each time the music that will be played by the band of the Armed Forces at the ceremony. Angela Merkel’s choices were purely “German” and allowed us, for one of the rare occasions, to learn a little more about her. An 18th-century Christian hymn, “Great God, Glory be to Your name,” refers to her origins as the daughter of a Lutheran pastor, but also to the origins of the Christian Democratic Party (CDU), a popular German song by Hildegard Kneff. It should rain roses for me “, an optimistic song about youthful dreams and aspirations and lyrics like” I want it all or nothing “and an old hit by East German punk singer Nina Hagen,” Du hast den Farbfilm vergessen “(” Forget it “) color film “), which was a huge success in the former East Germany in 1974. The song is an expression of anger of the singer towards her partner, who took on vacation only black and white film. “No one will believe how beautiful it was here”, is the most famous verse of the song, which was banned by the regime because it was taken as a critique of the gray and dark GDR, where color film was still rare.

According to many analysts, this is one of the few times that Mrs. Merkel, the first chancellor from the former East Germany, allows people to see some nostalgia for the country where she grew up – or at least a lighter, humorous side. of herself. Asked to explain her choice, the chancellor said earlier today during a press conference that “my youth was in the GDR and the song was at the peak of my youth” – in addition, it takes place in the area, which was later her constituency. .

The paradox is that Angela Merkel and Nina Hagen had met 30 years ago on a TV show, with the singer then erupting: “I’m tired of your lies, your hypocrisy.” It seems, however, that the outgoing chancellor has probably forgiven her ever since. Nina Hagen herself, when the choice of her song became known, said in a post that she was surprised and explained that the chancellor may not know that the lyricist, Kurt Demer, was considered a “state poet” of the GDR and was later accused of sexual abuse 200 children and committed suicide in prison during his trial.

Source: ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ