Munich (dpa) – Some 100,000 people in southern Germany stepped out on their balconies and front yards on Christmas Eve to join in some traditional Christmas carols.
The Bavarian Music Council had called on people to open their windows at 3 pm (1400 GMT) on Thursday and sing the popular carols “Oh du froehliche” (Oh, how joyfully) and “Alle Jahre wieder” (Every year again), as many could not celebrate with friends and family due to coronavirus-related restrictions.
Germans exchange their Christmas gifts on Christmas Eve and especially those with small children start the celebration shortly after dusk.
There had already been a “gigantic amount of feedback” in the run-up, managing director Andreas Horber said on Friday about their estimates of participants. “Obviously it was exactly what the music-making people needed at Christmas.”
After the performance many applauded and wished each other Merry Christmas from window to window.
The Music Council had made the melody, lyrics and sound files available on its homepage, as well as parts for wind and string instruments. According to the council, the campaign was intended to “call for solidarity and create a communal musical experience.”
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