The national anthem of Germany is played during the fire brigade championship competition - National Anthem's First Verse Sounded at Firefighters' Competition in Germany
In the northern part of Saxony, the German Firefighting Championships have been taking place since Thursday. However, the event was overshadowed by an incident at the opening ceremony, where instead of the official national anthem, the controversial first verse of the Deutschlandlied was played.
The association organizing the event, the German Firefighting Association, quickly distanced itself from the incident. Hermann Schreck, vice-president of the association, stated that ideas contrary to the free and democratic order have no place among them. He also clarified that the third verse of the Deutschlandlied, which begins with "Unity and justice and freedom", is the one used officially in Germany today.
The first verse of the Deutschlandlied, which starts with "Germany, Germany above all", was heavily used during the Nazi era to justify expansionism. After World War II, Germany officially adopted only the third verse as its anthem to avoid the problematic associations of the first.
The playing of the first verse at this recent event in Torgau revived echoes of that problematic historical use, causing a scandal. The association formally expressed regret and immediately relieved the responsible person of their honorary positions.
The competitions involve various disciplines such as a 100-meter hurdles race and a "wet extinguishing attack". Over 600 firefighters are participating in the competitions, with the top three women's and men's teams qualifying for international competitions of the World Firefighting Association.
The incident was reported by Leipzig Volkszeitung and Sächsische Zeitung, adding to the controversy surrounding the event. Despite the incident, the competitions continue, with the focus now returning to the sports and camaraderie that firefighting events are known for.
The European Parliament, being a pillar of democratic politics, expressed concern over the incident at the German Firefighting Championships, stating the importance of upholding general-news values and avoiding the resurgence of problematic historical politics. Meanwhile, sports analysts have continued to discuss the various disciplines and competitive spirit showcased at the event, reminding everyone that sports offers a platform for unity and justice, much like the desired sentiments expressed in the third verse of the Deutschlandlied.
