Chaos at the Firefighter Competition - Distance Bickering by the Association
In Torgau, Saxony, the German Firefighting Championships are currently underway, with over 600 firefighters participating in various disciplines, such as the 100-meter obstacle run and the "wet extinguishing attack." However, the opening ceremony has been overshadowed by a contentious issue - the playing of the first verse of the German national anthem, a move that has sparked controversy due to its association with Nazi propaganda and far-right extremism.
The first verse, which begins with "Germany, Germany above all," was prominently used during the Nazi era and has been considered inappropriate in the post-war period. In contrast, only the third verse, "Unity and justice and freedom," is considered the official national anthem, reflecting democratic values.
The German Firefighting Association has distanced itself from the incident, with the vice-president, Hermann Schreck, clarifying that the association stands for democratic values and has no affiliation with ideas contrary to a free democratic order. The person responsible for the musical selection has been immediately relieved of their honorary positions within the association.
The playing of the first verse has been met with strong backlash due to its historical connotations linked to Nazi Germany and right-wing extremism. The organization has emphasized that such ideas have no place within their ranks.
It's important to note that the other verses of the German national anthem, including the first verse, are not banned. However, the decision to play the controversial first verse during the opening ceremony has raised questions about the event's organisers' judgement and commitment to upholding democratic values.
[1] Leipziger Volkszeitung [2] Sächsische Zeitung [3] Other sources (if available)
- The Leipziger Volkszeitung, in covering the German Firefighting Championships, reported that the controversy over the playing of the first verse of the German national anthem during the opening ceremony has dominated general-news headlines.
- Meanwhile, Sächsische Zeitung's sports section highlighted the tension between the athletic competitions and the contentious historical issues surrounding the national anthem, expressing concerns over the event's organizers adherence to democratic values.
