City of Dusseldorf: Audience with the Monarch at the Municipal Building
In the heart of the city, the annual Sternsinger event took place at the town hall on Monday, 6.1. This tradition, ongoing for 67 years, is organised by the Kindermissionswerk "Die Sternsinger" and the Bund der Deutschen Katholischen Jugend (BDKJ).
This year's theme, "Raise your voice! - Sternsingen for children's rights", resonated strongly as the event aimed to strengthen children's rights worldwide and promote their implementation.
The Sternsinger action was graced by the presence of 36 Kings and Queens, City Dean Frank Heidkamp, Kirsten Pretz, Christopher Frieling, Johannes Frost, Mayor Stephan Keller, and Mayor Josef Hinkel.
Mayor Stephan Keller filled the donation box of the Kings, while Mayor Josef Hinkel's office received the blessing of the Sternsinger. The blessing sticker, "20*C+M+B+25", is a tradition, but contrary to popular belief, "C+M+B" does not stand for the names of the kings Caspar, Melchior, and Baltasar. Instead, it is the Latin translation of "Christ bless this house".
The children recited a blessing during the event, and their dedication was praised by both City Dean Heidkamp and Mayor Keller. Employees in the town hall took the blessing for a donation when they heard that the Sternsinger were visiting.
The Sternsinger's fundraising efforts have been instrumental in collecting over 1.3 billion euros for aid projects for children during this time. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which has stated for 35 years that children have fundamental rights that apply worldwide, is a testament to the importance of these efforts.
The Sternsinger event is not just about bringing joy to people but also doing good for their peers in need. Along with money, the Sternsinger also received a delicious crown from the Mayor.
For those interested, the location of the Sternsinger can be checked to see if they have already passed through a neighborhood or if they will bring the blessing next weekend. The CDU council faction was happy about the visit of the Sternsinger, expressing their support for the cause.
Frank Heidkamp, City Dean, praised the children for their dedication in going through their communities, bringing blessings, and collecting donations for children in need. The 2025 Sternsinger action is themed similarly, continuing the tradition of raising voices for children's rights.
