Christmas song singing in Wetzlar: an international festival of music!

Christmas song singing in Wetzlar: an international festival of music!

In the festive ambience of the old auditorium in Wetzlar, over 90 people gathered on December 7, 2024 to enjoy Czech, Italian and Finnish songs at an international Christmas carol singing, like the Giessener Zeitung reported. The event was organized by the German-Italian Society of Middle Hesse e.V. and promoted European friendships through singing together and the exchange of Christmas stories from different countries. Choir director Holger Hedrich delighted the audience with his humorous way and encouraged to sing a total of 15 Christmas carols in different languages, including the European anthem in five languages.

A call to European unity

The mood of the event was not only festive, but also characterized by a subordinate desire for European unity. This is reminiscent of the recent discussions about the need for a new "Wiener Congress" in Europe to promote peace and stability, as Hans Hedrich in a contribution to neutrality Studies suggests. In view of the geopolitical tensions, especially after the Ukraine conflict, a multinational peace congress is seen as a potential way to redesign the relationships between the European countries and work on peaceful coexistence. The call to such a conference could strengthen the commitment and networking between the European nations and could play a key role in setting up conflicts.

The participants of the Christmas carol in Wetzlar not only cheered the festive melodies, but also reflected their role in a larger context that goes beyond culture and tradition. It was a small step towards a more peaceful Europe in which communication and cooperation are essential. Both the musical gathering and the demand for a structural realignment of European relationships are crucial in order to tackle the challenges that the old continent must manage.