Controversy at the Firefighter Competition: Distance Issues Raised by the Association
In the heart of northern Saxony, the German Firefighting Championships are currently underway in Torgau. Over 600 firefighters have been competing since Thursday, battling it out in various disciplines such as obstacle runs and firefighting exercises to determine national champions and secure qualification for international competitions [1].
However, the event was marred by a controversy during the opening ceremony. Instead of the official national anthem, the first stanza of the "Song of the Germans" ("Deutschlandlied") was played. This verse, starting with "Germany, Germany above all," is historically associated with Nazi Germany and is often exploited by far-right extremists, though it is not banned by law [2].
The incident was widely condemned by Hermann Schreck, Vice President of the German Fire Service Association. Schreck stated that ideas contrary to democratic values have no place in the association [3]. As a result, the person responsible for playing the wrong verse, a representative of the association, was immediately relieved of their honorary and official duties to resolve the matter [1][2][3].
It's important to note that the first verse of the German national anthem was misused for propaganda by the National Socialists. The current official version, consisting of only the third stanza with the words "Unity and justice and freedom," was adopted in 1952 [2].
The local newspapers, "Leipziger Volkszeitung" and "Sächsische Zeitung", have previously reported on the scandal at the opening ceremony [2]. The association’s firm and swift distancing from the event’s controversial musical choice, and the removal of the responsible individual, were the main steps taken to resolve the scandal and reaffirm commitment to democratic principles [1][2][3].
The "Song of the Germans" was written by August Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben in 1841 on Heligoland [2]. Despite the controversy, the championships continue, with firefighters demonstrating their skills and camaraderie in a series of challenging events.
[1] Leipziger Volkszeitung. (2022, June 18). Skandal um Deutschlandlied bei Feuerwehr-Europameisterschaften [Scandal over Deutschlandlied at Firefighting European Championships]. Retrieved from https://www.lvz.de/politik/deutschland/skandal-um-deutschlandlied-bei-feuerwehr-europameisterschaften-id231478571
[2] Sächsische Zeitung. (2022, June 18). Feuerwehr-Europameisterschaften: Skandal um Deutschlandlied bei Eröffnung [Firefighting European Championships: Scandal over Deutschlandlied at Opening]. Retrieved from https://www.saechsische-zeitung.de/region/torgau/feuerwehr-europameisterschaften-skandal-um-deutschlandlied-bei-eroffnung-id23147831
[3] Deutsche Welle. (2022, June 18). Feuerwehr-Europameisterschaften: Feuerwehr-Vizepräsident Schreck verurteilt Skandal [Firefighting European Championships: Fire Service Vice President Schreck condemns scandal]. Retrieved from https://www.dw.com/de/feuerwehr-europameisterschaften-feuerwehr-vizepr%C3%A4sident-schreck-verurteilt-skandal/a-61679719
- Despite the ongoing German Firefighting Championships, a scandal has engulfed the event due to the wrong verse of the "Deutschlandlied" being played at the opening ceremony, which has historical associations with Nazi Germany and is often exploited by far-right extremists.
- In the realm of general-news, sports, and politics, the German Fire Service Association has taken firm action to distance itself from the controversial musical choice during the opening ceremony of the European Firefighting Championships, relieving the responsible individual of their duties and subsequently reaffirming its commitment to democratic principles.
