Christmas carol singing in Wetzlar: An international festival of music!

Christmas carol singing in Wetzlar: An international festival of music!

On December 7, 2024, over 90 people gathered in the festive ambience of the Old Aula in Wetzlar to enjoy Czech, Italian and Finnish songs like the one at an international Christmas carol singing event Giessen newspaper reported. The event was organized by the German-Italian Society of Central Hesse e.V. and promoted European friendships through singing together and exchanging Christmas stories from different countries. Choir leader Holger Hedrich delighted the audience with his humorous manner and encouraged them to sing a total of 15 Christmas carols in different languages, including the European anthem in five languages.

A call for European unity

The mood of the event was not only festive, but also characterized by an underlying desire for European unity. This is reminiscent of recent discussions about the need for a new “Congress of Vienna” in Europe to promote peace and stability, as Hans Hedrich points out in an article Neutrality Studies suggests. Given the geopolitical tensions, particularly after the Ukraine conflict, a multinational peace congress is seen as a potential way to reshape relations between European states and work towards peaceful coexistence. Calling for such a conference could strengthen engagement and networking between European nations and could play a key role in resolving conflicts.

The participants in the Christmas carol singing in Wetzlar not only cheered the festive melodies, but also reflected on their role in a larger context that goes beyond culture and tradition. It was a small step towards a more peaceful Europe, where understanding and cooperation are essential. Both the musical gathering and the call for a structural realignment of European relations are crucial to addressing the challenges that the Old Continent must overcome.