Drama at the firefighter competition: Dissociation by the organization
More than 600 firefighters have been competing in the German Firefighting Championships in Torgau, northern Saxony since Thursday. However, the opening ceremony was marred by controversy when the first verse of the German national anthem, "Deutschlandlied," was played instead of the official third verse.
The first stanza, beginning with "Deutschland, Deutschland über alles," was heavily misused by the Nazis for propaganda, associating it with aggressive nationalism and right-wing ideology. Although it is not legally banned, its association with a dark period in Germany's history has led to its avoidance in official events.
In response, the German Firefighters' Association, represented by Vice President Hermann Schreck, publicly distanced itself from the incident. Schreck emphasized that democratic values are fundamental to the association and that ideas contrary to the free democratic basic order have no place in their ranks. The individual responsible for playing the first verse at the ceremony was immediately relieved of their honorary functions in the German Firefighters' Association with immediate effect, as informed by Schreck.
The controversy overshadowed the championships, which feature various firefighting sports disciplines, including a 100-meter hurdles race and a "wet extinguishing attack." The top three women's and men's teams will qualify for the international competitions of the World Firefighters' Association.
The Leipziger Volkszeitung and the Sächsische Zeitung, German newspapers based in Leipzig and Dresden, respectively, previously reported on the incident at the opening ceremony. The dpa (Deutsche Presse-Agentur) is also reporting on the incident.
It is worth noting that the German national anthem's other verses are not banned. Today, only the third verse, "Unity and justice and freedom," is considered the national anthem. This verse, which begins with "Unity and justice and freedom," remains the official and appropriate anthem used by Germany officially since World War II.
Firefighters and the association stand for democratic values, and Schreck reiterated that ideologies that do not align with the free and democratic order have no place among them. The German Firefighting Championships, aimed at determining the German champions in firefighting sports, will continue in Torgau until Sunday.
The German Firefighters' Association, led by Vice President Hermann Schreck, distanced itself from playing the controversial first verse of the German national anthem at the opening ceremony of the German Firefighting Championships. Schreck emphasized that ideologies contrary to the free democratic basic order have no place within the association, and the responsible individual was immediately relieved of their honorary functions. Despite the incident, the championships, featuring various firefighting sports disciplines such as the 100-meter hurdles race and a "wet extinguishing attack," will continue in Torgau until Sunday.
