Star Singers Brought Van der Bellen New Year's Blessing

The Star Singers came from all dioceses in Austria as well as from South Tyrol. The donations collected by children dressed as kings between New Year's and Epiphany during house visits would enable important "help for self-help" for children in poverty-stricken regions worldwide, emphasized Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen in a press release in the afternoon.

"Message of Peace for All": Van der Bellen Presented Donation for Star Singers

The Star Singers conveyed the New Year's blessing to their host and brought gifts, including a poster with the motto "Star Singing connects people". Van der Bellen and his wife Doris Schmidauer, in turn, presented the Star Singers with a personal donation for the supported aid projects. The Federal President paid tribute to the effort involved: "You go around, knock, sing and ask for donations, regardless of whether it is raining, snowing, the sun is shining or it is freezing cold."

Many people would be greatly pleased by the visit of the Star Singers, said Van der Bellen: "You bring your message of peace to all people, which is so important today, and you make no distinction based on faith, origin, skin color or social status." Star Singers are thus role models for good coexistence in society. Martina Erlacher, the chairwoman of the Catholic Youth, who organizes the Three Kings' action every year, also affirmed the concern of "peaceful and respectful coexistence in Austria and worldwide".

85,000 Children and Young People on the Move as Star Singers This Year

A total of 85,000 children and young people are on the move as Star Singers in Austria between New Year's and Epiphany this year, accompanied by 30,000 voluntary adult helpers, Erlacher reported. Since the beginning of the Star Singers tradition 71 years ago, 540 million Euros have been collected for aid projects worldwide. Last year, a record result of 19.5 million Euros was achieved. The visit to the Federal President and other celebrities traditionally marks the start of the Three Kings' action. Cardinal Christoph Schönborn had already been visited the previous week, and on January 1st, a group of Star Singers from Vorarlberg will meet Pope Francis at the New Year's Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, together with colleagues from Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Hungary, and Slovakia. Further visits to government members, party leaders, state governors, and bishops are planned in the coming days.

(APA/Red)

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