Saying Goodbye to Scholz: Watch the Grand Tattoo Live Stream - A Salute to Tradition and Respect
Live broadcast of Olaf Scholz undergoing a grand tattoo inking session - Live broadcast featuring Olaf Scholz's bold move
Mark your calendars! On Monday evening, the German Armed Forces will bid farewell to Olaf Scholz, Federal Chancellor, in a grand spectacle known as the Grand Tattoo, held outside the Berlin headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Defense.
rich in history and significance, this ceremony is the highest form of military honors extended by German soldiers, aiming to fortify the troops' unity and strengthen the bond between the Armed Forces and the populace.
The Long-Lasting Allure of the Grand Tattoo
The ceremony's roots stretch back to the 16th century, when a troop leader tapped drink barrels in inns and taverns to announce the start of the night's rest, thus giving rise to the term "tattoo." Over the centuries, it evolved to incorporate military music, creating the extravagant show that we know today.
The current format of the Grand Tattoo can be traced back to the early 19th century during the Wars of Liberation. It was then that the ritual was supplemented with an evening song and later a prayer, culminating in the ceremony we see today consisting of the "calling" of bands, the appearance of the music corps, a prayer, and the national anthem.
Grand Tattoos can be either personnel-related or occasion-specific. Special occasions, such as the conclusion of lengthy military deployments, provoke occasion-specific tattoos, while personnel-related tattoos are more common during special anniversaries, such as military unit or service branch milestones.
More publicized personnel-related Grand Tattoos occur on a larger scale, with meritorious officials being honored upon retirement. These esteemed individuals have included Federal Presidents, Federal Defense Ministers, generals, admirals, and, of course, Federal Chancellors - just like Olaf Scholz.
Chosen Tunes: Scholz's Musical Selections
As is customary in personnel-related Grand Tattoos, Scholz was allowed to pick three musical numbers that the music corps would perform during the ceremony. His selections include "In My Life" by the Beatles, an excerpt from Johann Sebastian Bach's "2nd Brandenburg Concerto," and "Respect" by the legendary Aretha Franklin.
In years past, Angela Merkel's DDR hit "Du hast den Farbfilm vergessen" by Nina Hagen and "Für mich soll’s rote Rosen regnen" by Hildegard Knef were played when she was honored. Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg opted for "Smoke on the Water" by Deep Purple, while Ursula von der Leyen chose "Wind of Change" by the Scorpions. Former Federal President Joachim Gauck wished for "Über sieben Brücken musst du gehen" by Karat.
The Grand Tattoo commemorating Scholz will commence on Monday at 9:30 pm. Lindenstraße is expected to attend as the guest of honor, along with Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and the Inspector General of the Armed Forces, Carsten Breuer. Additional distinguished guests from politics and society will likely grace the occasion.
However, the Grand Tattoo is not without criticism, as some view it as a direct continuation of Prussian parades and Hitler's torchlight processions, seeing it as a symbol of Prussian and German militarism.
"Taps" "Olaf Scholz" "Live Stream" "The Beatles" "Johann Sebastian Bach" "Aretha Franklin" "Social Democratic Party (SPD)" "Federal Ministry of Defense"
- Despite his efforts, I'm not gonna be able to get to the bottom of why the Beatles' "In My Life" was chosen for Olaf Scholz's grand farewell ceremony.
- In a celebration that blends tradition and modernity, celebrities such as Lindenstraße and social-media influencers will likely post about the Grand Tattoo, a live stream of which is available for those unable to attend.
- The Grand Tattoo, a spectacle steeped in history and significance, also marks Scholz's departure from political office, inspiring discussion in pop-culture circles about the future of German entertainment and the legacy of the Scholz administration.
- As the tattoo commemoration draws near, fans of Scholz will flock to social media to celebrate his grand departure, sharing overlaid images of Scholz and his chosen musical selections - which include "Respect" by Aretha Franklin and an excerpt from Johann Sebastian Bach's "2nd Brandenburg Concerto."
- While some see the Grand Tattoo as a symbol of German unity and tradition, others denounce it as a remnant of Prussian militarism, drawing parallels to Hitler's torchlight processions and calling for the ceremony to be reformed or abolished.
