For a vibrant shared culture: Volkswagen Group raises awareness for German-Jewish songs
For a vibrant shared culture: Volkswagen Group raises awareness for German-Jewish songs
- Volkswagen Group has partnered with the German Choral Association (DCV) to release a special edition featuring new arrangements of German-Jewish songs
- Thanks to the support of the Volkswagen Group, 100 choirs receive up to 3000 copies of a special edition of licensed sheets of music: applications at DCV from June 12, 2025
- Former Federal President Christian Wulff recognized the support of the Volkswagen Group during the German Choir Meeting in Nuremberg, also attended by Dr Ludwig Spaenle, the Bavarian State Government's Commissioner for Jewish Life and Against Anti-Semitism
- The engagement is part of Volkswagen Group's wide-ranging and multifaceted culture of remembrance.
Wolfsburg/Nürnberg. The German Choral Association initiated an international contest, inviting composers to rearrange musical works from the 1912 German-Jewish Songbook for choral performance. More than 50 compositions from six countries were submitted, including 28 arrangements by Israeli composers.
As part of the partnership with the German Choral Association, Volkswagen is providing 100 choirs with up to 3,000 copies of a special edition of licensed music books containing the compositions that were awarded during the 'German-Jewish Songbook' arrangement competition. Conveying German-Jewish music and fostering shared values of German and Jewish culture is the clear commitment and goal of both partners. Starting on June 12, 2025, choirs can apply to receive free music books from the German Choral Association (https://www.deutscher-chorverband.de/erinnerungskultur).
Christian Wulff, former Federal President and President of the German Choral Association: “Music unites! As well as honoring the cultural ties between Germans and Jews, the German Choral Association is encouraging choirs to rediscover music reflecting the shared heritage and roots of German and Jewish culture from the early 20th century. This music shall be furthermore performed at many concerts. I would like to express my gratitude to all our supporters and partners, especially the Volkswagen Group.”
The Volkswagen Group actively cultivates a wide-ranging culture of remembrance. Gunnar Killian, Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG, Human Resources and Trucks: “Jewish culture has enriched social life in Germany for centuries. With the rearrangement of Jewish-German songs, the German Choral Association has initiated a powerful project that strengthens our shared values and brings this positive cultural influence to life. Volkswagen supports and bolsters this unifying effect.”
Benita von Maltzahn, Head of Society and Culture at Volkswagen Group underlines the engagement: " It is important to us that German-Jewish culture is preserved, kept alive and passed on to the next generation. Only by experiencing our shared culture can we become aware of our common values and defend them against threats. Our special edition for 3,000 singers shall bring these songs back to the heart of our society.”
On May 30, during the German Choir Meeting in Nuremberg (May 29 until June 1), the winners of the arrangement competition were honored at the Germanisches Nationalmuseum and the Volkswagen Group was recognized for its engagement in supporting the special edition music books.
