Lots of little kings in Berlin. On Tuesday, Chancellor Angela Merkel received star singers from all over Germany. A total of 108 girls and boys met at the Federal Chancellery to bring the Chancellor their annual blessing. The tradition blessing of the star singers now graces a wall of the Federal Chancellery.
Berlin, 7 January 2020: Since 1984 they have brought blessings to the Federal Chancellery. It was the 15th time the star singers had visited Chancellor Angela Merkel.
"When you go from house to house everywhere in Germany you are keeping alive a wonderful tradition. But it is not only about a tradition, because you do much more. You get involved in political life and draw attention to very important issues," stressed Angela Merkel.
The tradition of star singers is listed in Germany's national record of the country's non-material cultural heritage. The campaign was first launched in 1959 and has since become the world's largest solidarity campaign by children for children.
The 2019 campaign alone raised more than 50 million euros in donations. The money is used to support projects around the world for children. This year's motto is "Bring blessings. Be a blessing. Peace! In Lebanon and worldwide".
At the end of their visit the star singers wrote the traditional blessing with chalk on a wall of the Federal Chancellery: "20*C+M+B+20" - Christus mansionem benedicat. May Christ bless this house in 2020.
"Your work is like a small light that brings hope to the world," said the Chancellor, praising the engagement of the star singers. Altogether 108 boys and girls from 27 dioceses visited the Chancellor.