Status: 11/26/2021 2:26 p.m.
Next week the Bundeswehr will say goodbye to Chancellor Merkel with the big tattoo. She has obviously already made her choice of music – and wanted a classic.
Even before her official resignation, Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) is bid farewell to the Bundeswehr with the traditional big tattoo. The solemn military ceremony is due to take place next Thursday in the Ministry of Defense.
No usual reception due to the pandemic
Because of the pandemic, according to the information, only vaccinated and convalescent people who can also present a current negative corona test are allowed to participate. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is expected as a guest of honor.
All 52 federal ministers from their time in government and other companions are invited. The usual reception in the casino in the Bendlerblock does not take place. According to the current plan, the Chancellor will sit down and give a short speech.
Merkel has chosen three pieces of music
Her choice of music has probably already been made: she would like pieces by Hildegarf Knef and Nina Hagen as well as a hymn, reports “Spiegel”.
According to this, the musicians of the Bundeswehr should play the Knef classic “For me it should rain red roses”, the GDR hit “You forgot the color film” and “Great God, we praise you”. Those honored with the Zapfenstreich can decide for themselves which pieces will be played on the occasion of their departure. Government spokesman Steffen Seibert did not want to comment on the Chancellor’s wishes for music.
Her predecessor Gerhard Schröder (SPD) said goodbye to Frank Sinatra’s “My Way”, among others. Former Federal President Joachim Gauck also had a GDR music classic and a hymn on his wish list with “A strong castle is our God” and the karat hit “You must go over seven bridges”.
Ritual of the great tattoo
In its current form, the ritual of the great tattoo is almost 200 years old. The term “Zapfenstreich” even goes back to the 16th century. In order to call the soldiers to the camp in the evening, an officer and a drummer or whistler went through the inns and struck the barrel with his saber. Then the innkeeper was no longer allowed to serve and the soldiers had to go back to the camp under threat of punishment. From this, musical signals for the beginning of the night’s sleep in the barracks developed in the armies of the 17th century.
Merkel did not run in the last federal election. Since the Bundestag was constituted, like the rest of the old federal government, she has been in office until a new government is sworn in. According to the current schedule of the likely future government coalition of the SPD, Greens and FDP, Olaf Scholz (SPD) will be elected Chancellor in the Bundestag in the week from December 6th.