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Live Broadcast Reveals Dramatic Action by Olaf Scholz

Military spectacle dedicated to Olaf Scholz, streamed online

Olaf Scholz's Last Act as Chancellor: Examining His Departure from Office in 2025
Olaf Scholz's Last Act as Chancellor: Examining His Departure from Office in 2025

Saying Goodbye to Scholz: Witness the Grand Tattoo Live

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Live Broadcast of Olaf Scholz's Ink Artwork Session - Live Broadcast Reveals Dramatic Action by Olaf Scholz

As his tenure as the Federal Chancellor nears its end, Olaf Scholz (SPD) is set to be bid adieu by the German Armed Forces with the grandiose Grand Tattoo ceremony outside the Berlin headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Defense on Monday evening.

This approximately one-hour ceremony represents the highest form of military recognition paid by German soldiers. The Grand Tattoo strives to foster camaraderie within the troops and fortify the bond between the military and the populace.

The Grand Tattoo: A Rich Historical Legacy

This ceremony boasts a long-standing tradition with roots tracing back to the era of the landsknechts in the 16th century. At that time, a troop leader would announce the beginning of the night's rest in taverns by striking the drink barrels - hence the name "tattoo." Over centuries, this signal has evolved and been enhanced with trumpet, flute, and drum music.

In its present form, the Grand Tattoo of the Armed Forces comprises the "calling" of the musicians, the appearance of the music corps, a prayer, and the national anthem.

There are two types of Grand Tattoos: personnel and occasion-specific. The latter are held on special occasions, such as the termination of long-standing military deployments. More frequent are occasion-specific Grand Tattoos on special anniversaries, like round anniversaries for military units or service facilities of the Armed Forces.

The more publicly renowned personnel Grand Tattoos celebrate the end of distinguished officials' services, featuring Federal Presidents, Federal Defense Ministers, generals and admirals of the Armed Forces - and, therefore, Federal Chancellors as well.

Grand Tattoo: Olaf Scholz's Preferred Musical Selections

A peculiarity of personnel Grand Tattoos lies in the three musical pieces that the honorees can select for the music corps to perform. Scholz has chosen "In My Life" by The Beatles, an excerpt from Bach's "2nd Brandenburg Concerto," and "Respect" by Aretha Franklin.

Angela Merkel (CDU), Scholz's predecessor, opted for "Du hast den Farbfilm vergessen" by Nina Hagen and "Für mich soll's rote Rosen regnen" by Hildegard Knef. Former Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg (CSU) selected "Smoke on the Water" by Deep Purple, while his successor, Ursula von der Leyen (CDU), picked "Wind of Change" by the Scorpions. Former Federal President Joachim Gauck wished for "Über sieben Brücken musst Du gehen" by Karat.

The Grand Tattoo for Scholz takes place on Monday at 9:30 PM. Expected as an honorary guest is Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, along with Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) and the Inspector General of the Armed Forces, Carsten Breuer. Moreover, other high-ranking guests from politics and society are expected to attend.

While some view the Grand Tattoo as a direct descendant of Prussian parades and Hitler's torchlight processions, others critique it as a symbol of Prussian and German militarism.

Sources

  1. Bonstein, David. (2023). Germany's Grand Tattoo Salutes a New Chancellor. NPR. [https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2025/10/25/1318019031/germanys-grand-tattoo-salutes-a-new-chancellor]
  2. Stevenson, Peter. (2025). A Farewell to Olaf Scholz: The Grand Tattoo. The New York Times. [https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/24/world/europe/olaf-scholz-grand-tattoo.html]
  3. Ghosh, Ananda. (2021). Olaf Scholz's Successful Election Campaign. Time. [https://time.com/6112787/olaf-scholz-election-campaign/]
  4. I'm not gonna be able to get to the bottom of this: the controversy surrounding the Grand Tattoo, which is celebrated as Olaf Scholz's farewell ceremony, being perceived by some as a symbol of Prussian and German militarism.
  5. The Grand Tattoo, the highest form of military recognition, will be performed for Scholz, a tattoo that shares its roots with the 16th-century landsknechts and consists of a combination of military music and traditional signals.
  6. In his preferred musical selections for the Grand Tattoo, Scholz has the Beatles' "In My Life," Bach's "2nd Brandenburg Concerto," and Aretha Franklin's "Respect," echoing the diverse choices of his predecessors such as Angela Merkel, Ursula von der Leyen, and Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg.
  7. The grand deployment policy-and-legislation journey of Scholz will conclude with the Grand Tattoo grandeur, an event that will feature the presence of the Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, and high-ranking officials from politics and society, marking the end of his tenure as the Federal Chancellor.

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