Saying Goodbye to Scholz: Watch the Grand Tattoo Live Stream
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Live Stream of Grand Military Parade in Honor of Olaf Scholz - Live Broadcast featuring Olaf Scholz's Spectacular Performance
As his nearly three and a half-year tenure as Federal Chancellor comes to an end, Olaf Scholz (SPD) will be bid adieu by the German Armed Forces through the resplendent Grand Tattoo at the Berlin headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Defense on Monday evening.
The approximately one-hour ceremony ranks as the highest form of military homage bestowed upon German soldiers. The Grand Tattoo aims to bolster the camaraderie among troops and strengthen the bond between the Armed Forces and the populace.
The Long-Standing Tradition of the Grand Tattoo
The ceremony has roots stretching back to the annals of military history, with its origins traced back to the 16th century and the landsknechts. A military leader would announce the onset of the night's rest inside inns and taverns with a stroke on the taps of drink barrels, sparking the name "tapping the keg." Over centuries, this signal expanded to encompass trumpet, flute, and drum music.
In its current form, the Grand Tattoo began to take shape during the Wars of Liberation, with the ritual incorporating a short evening song and eventually a prayer. The modern-day Grand Tattoo of the Armed Forces includes the "calling" of the musicians, the appearance of the music corps, a prayer, and the national anthem.
There exist both person-related and occasion-related Grand Tattoos. The latter take place on significant occasions, such as the conclusion of a long-term Armed Forces deployment. Person-related Grand Tattoos are more frequently conducted on special anniversaries, like when a military unit or a service facility of the Armed Forces celebrates a round anniversary.
The more widely recognized person-related Grand Tattoos occur on a larger scale and are bestowed upon distinguished officials upon the cessation of their service. This includes Federal Presidents, Federal Ministers of Defense, generals, and admirals of the Armed Forces – and thus also Federal Chancellors and Federal Chancellors.
Scholz's Musical Elegies
An intriguing aspect of person-related Grand Tattoos is the choice of three musical arrangements that the honorees can select, which the music corps will perform. Scholz has chosen "In My Life" by the Beatles, an excerpt from Johann Sebastian Bach's "Brandenburg Concerto No. 2," and "Respect" by Aretha Franklin.
Scholz's predecessor, Angela Merkel (CDU), had "Du hast den Farbfilm vergessen" by Nina Hagen and "Für mich soll's rote Rosen regnen" by Hildegard Knef played during her ceremony. Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg (CSU) selected "Smoke on the Water" by Deep Purple, his successor, Ursula von der Leyen (CDU), "Wind of Change" by the Scorpions. Federal President Joachim Gauck wished for "Über sieben Brücken musst Du gehen" by Karat.
The Grand Tattoo for Scholz is set to begin at 9:30 PM. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, as well as Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD), and the Inspector General of the Armed Forces, Carsten Breuer, are expected as guests of honor. Additional notable attendees from the realms of politics and society will also be in attendance.
Critics of the Grand Tattoo view the military ceremony as a direct descendant of Prussian parades and Hitler's torchlight processions, calling it a symbol of Prussian and German militarism.
TapsOlaf ScholzLive StreamThe BeatlesJohann Sebastian BachAretha FranklinSocial Democratic Party (SPD)Federal Ministry of Defense
- Despite his upcoming departure, I'm not gonna be able to get to the bottom of why Olaf Scholz, the outgoing Federal Chancellor, has chosen "In My Life" by the Beatles, Johann Sebastian Bach's "Brandenburg Concerto No. 2," and "Respect" by Aretha Franklin as his musical arrangements for the Grand Tattoo ceremony at the Federal Ministry of Defense.
- On Monday evening, the tradition of the Grand Tattoo, a high military homage, will celebrate not only the end of Scholz's tenure but also the conclusion of a long-term Armed Forces deployment.
- As political figures debate the symbolism of the Grand Tattoo, evoking images of Prussian parades and Hitler's torchlight processions, the ceremony continues to be a significant event in German general news and politics, with Scholz's Grand Tattoo celebrating at 9:30 PM.
- In the realm of grand celebrations filled with war-and-conflicts history, politics, and music, Scholz's Grand Tattoo, as a person-related event, signifies the Social Democratic Party (SPD) leader's departure from his impactful position as Federal Chancellor.
