This Sunday evening (20 Dec) will see the launch of a Singaporean-German music collaboration of two of the most popular German Christmas Carols – “O Tannenbaum (Oh Christmas Tree)“ and “Stille Nacht (Silent Night)”.
The date coincides with the fourth advent or the last Sunday before Christmas Eve – an important date in each year’s run-up to Christmas in Germany.
The joint project by the Embassy of the Republic of Singapore in Berlin and the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Singapore has brought together two a cappella groups from both countries who pay homage to well-known carols.
MICappella from Singapore and Klangbezirk from Germany jointly produced a music video in this international cooperation across thousands of kilometers without ever having met physically to spread some festive cheer with two German Christmas classics amid the worldwide pandemic.
Their performance features household favourites – upbeat and energetic “O Tannenbaum (Oh Christmas Tree)“ and “Stille Nacht (Silent Night)” but with an a cappella spin to them.
The video will be released on the Facebook accounts of both embassies this Sunday evening at 8pm, and subsequently shared on their other social media accounts as well.
“We want to bring warmth, comfort and cheer to our German friends in this challenging time,” said H.E. Laurence Bay, Singapore’s Ambassador to Germany, who is based in Berlin.
“This video is testament that regardless of the challenges, we can cooperate by using technology to spread the festive joy around. I hope everyone will enjoy the timeless carols with their loved ones and friends,” he added.
“I have come to realize during my encounters in Singapore that while we enjoy the tropical climate in Singapore, many Singaporeans long for trips to Germany and Europe to experience the cold winter and above all, snow for a ‘white Christmas’,” said Dr Norbert Riedel, German Ambassador to Singapore.
“While this strong sense of wanderlust still has to be put on hold, I hope that these melodies can bring some of this festive snowy atmosphere over to Singapore and wish you all a joyous festive season,” he added.
By choosing these two songs which are familiar to many in both Germany and Singapore, a virtual musical bridge between both countries is built during a time when global travel remains restricted.
Among those not able to go home for Christmas this year are the more than 8,000 Germans in Singapore as well as over 2,000 Singaporeans living in Germany.
This international collaboration also aims to further use technical opportunities to encourage exchange between artists of both countries and promote greater diversity in the cultural scene.
Earlier this year, Singaporean Kahchun Wong had created a global, cross-border collaboration for the first performance of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony using animated 360-degree-technology, and convened more than 1,000 participants from groups from both Germany and Singapore.
Social media accounts of both embassies
Singapore Embassy in Berlin – Facebook
Singapore Embassy in Berlin – Instagram
Singapore Embassy in Berlin – Twitter
German Embassy in Singapore – Facebook
German Embassy in Singapore – Instagram
German Ambassador Dr Norbert Riedel – Twitter
