The Municipality of Perl Celebrates German Unity Day with an Open Singing Event

We remember the citizens of the former GDR who took to the streets in their Monday demonstrations for freedom and democracy, praying and singing together. The non-violent protests were followed first by the border openings, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and finally, 327 days later, the unification of the two German states, the FRG and the GDR. This restored the state unity of Germany after 45 years of separation.

To keep this important event alive in the public consciousness, the initiative "October 3rd – Germany sings and sounds" has set itself the goal of celebrating this day with the largest music project in all of Germany. Nationwide and simultaneously, an Open Singing event takes place to bring together people of all generations and cultures and to make a statement for freedom, democracy, tolerance, and peace in Germany and the world. The power of music to unite people during times of political upheaval has been repeatedly proven. Making music together with many enthusiastic people can inspire, encourage, and connect. In view of the political situation in Germany and Europe in recent history, it is more important than ever to collectively revive the call for freedom, democracy, and human rights. Singing together gives courage and hope, which we all need in our daily lives to face the unique challenges of our time and to ensure that people continue to treat each other with respect, tolerance, and appreciation, cast aside prejudices, and live their lives responsibly.

The municipality of Perl also wants to participate in this year's celebrations with an event. At the initiative of Elke Heinz, chairwoman of the MartinusChor Nennig, and Karin Arweiler, board member of the KGV "Cäcilia" Perl, singers from all choirs in the community have agreed to shape this event under the overall musical direction of Frank Kockelmann. All citizens from Perl and the surrounding municipalities are cordially invited to join on 03.10.23 in the courtyard of the Deutsch-Luxembourg Schengen Lyceum Perl (Auf dem Sabel 2, 66706 Perl) from 6:45 p.m., to be there and sing along.

The mayor of Perl, Ralf Uhlenbruch, welcomes the initiative and invites everyone to celebrate publicly: „The municipality of Perl enthusiastically joins the music project ‘Germany sings and sounds.’ I fully support the idea of a generational and cross-cultural musical thank-you demonstration for the valuable and—as we have learned again today—threatened goods of unity, freedom, democracy, solidarity, and peace. I invite all citizens from Perl and our neighboring communities to the Open Singing on October 3rd to celebrate together through song. This invitation is, of course, also extended to our French and Luxembourgish neighbors, with whom we live together in the spirit of democracy, peace, freedom, and human rights in the borderless tri-border area and feel connected.”