The echoes of a powerful musical collaboration continue to resonate between Berlin and Athens following a festive service held at the Berlin Cathedral on Saturday, 3 October. During this event, approximately 240 Greek and German singers joined their voices in a performance that served as both a celebration of unity and a message of European solidarity. The Greek contingent consisted of 38 pupils from the Chios Music School, who performed alongside various choirs and ensembles from the Sing-Akademie zu Berlin.
The concert program was extensive, featuring classical works by composers such as Mendelssohn, Poulenc, Britten, Lewandowski, and Holst. The choirs also performed "Ora kali" by Michalis Adamis and "Messa Latina" by Yannis Christou. Kai-Uwe Jirka, the artistic director of the Sing-Akademie zu Berlin, served as the conductor for the performance at the Berliner Dom. Jirka explained that the event has become a tradition over the past three years, originating from a desire to reclaim the space outside the cathedral for a message of inclusion.
According to Jirka, the initiative began after a service three years ago when the congregation exited the cathedral to find a far-right event taking place in the nearby Lustgarten. The choirs decided that such displays of hatred and racism could not be the final word. Consequently, they began reserving the space on the church steps to perform for Europe, asking the fundamental question of what Germany or Europe would be without their neighbors, including Greece. Jirka noted that this year’s event was perfect, as it brought together young people from across Europe to sing side by side.
This performance was not an isolated incident but part of a broader, ongoing cultural exchange. Last August, during the 10th Chios Music Festival, more than 50 young choristers from the Sing-Akademie zu Berlin spent a week on the island of Chios, performing at various venues. Friederike Stahmer, who founded the Berlin Sing-Akademie Girls’ Choir 20 years ago, participated in the summer exchange and emphasized the transformative nature of the program. She noted that while initial challenges regarding different musical styles and languages were significant, the effort required to overcome them led to a deeper understanding of another musical culture.
Stahmer described the experience of revisiting the repertoire in Berlin as particularly rewarding, noting that the music had time to develop and blossom. She expressed confidence that the experience would be unforgettable for the students involved. The exchange program, which is supported by the Greek-German Youth Foundation (ΕΓΙΝ/DGJW), allowed the Greek group to stay in the German capital for eight days, during which they participated in three separate concerts.
The artistic direction of the Chios Music Festival is shared by Olga Holdorff Myriagou and Lefteris Veniadis. Veniadis remarked that the collaboration allowed them to witness a miracle through the common language of music, describing the process as a form of osmosis where German and Greek children shared a common goal. He noted that the concerts held in the beautiful landscapes of Chios took on a new dimension through music, and the students from Chios were equally impressed by the experience in Berlin.
The young participants themselves reflected on the personal impact of the exchange. Chrysa Noka, a student at the Chios Music School, admitted that she initially had doubts about joining the project but ultimately found it to be a unique experience. She noted that while the groups faced difficulties due to their differences, they successfully adapted their daily lives to ensure everyone felt comfortable. Louise Castellani and Elsa Kriegenburg, both from the Berlin Girls’ Choir, highlighted the friendships they formed. Castellani recalled fond memories of playing volleyball on the beach in Chios, while Kriegenburg observed that music made communication much easier, allowing the students to connect quickly through their shared language and community.
Following the conclusion of the service, the musical encounter extended to the steps of the Berlin Cathedral overlooking the Lustgarten. There, the choirs and a large crowd participated in the "Sing for Europe!" initiative, singing together to conclude the event on a note of unity.
