The big tattoo is causing a stir on social media.
Some politicians reacted in horror and stressed that there was nothing to celebrate in view of the many deaths in Afghanistan.
Berlin - The pictures of soldiers with torches in front of the Reichstag building have sparked a wave of protest on the Internet.
The big tattoo to honor the Federal Armed Forces deployment should actually be a festive event.
But a number of politicians as well as public figures felt reminded of dark chapters in German history by the scenes.
Hans-Christian Ströbele, long-time member of the Bundestag for the Greens, wrote, for example: “What is the point of the militaristic ritual from Prussia and the Nazi era?” Over 175,000 people died in the war, mostly civilians.
“Nothing is good in Afghanistan.
What is there to celebrate? "
Big tattoo with torchlight procession in front of the Reichstag today.
Buwe celebrates the end of their mission in Afghanistan.
What's the point of the militaristic ritual from Prussia and the Nazi era.
Over 175,000 people, mostly civilians, died in the war. Nothing is good in Afghanistan.
What is there to celebrate.
- Christian Ströbele (@MdB_Stroebele) October 13, 2021
Big tattoo debate: Criticism of ritual is great
The left-wing foreign politician Sevim Dagdelen also referred to the civilian victims of the Afghanistan war and the 59 Bundeswehr soldiers who lost their lives in Afghanistan. "What is there to celebrate with this militaristic mummery?", She also asked on Twitter. Moderator Jan Böhmermann wrote: "The Bundeswehr is now forcing the stupid" society "into the synapses with really horny torchlight marches until their relationship with the democratic republic is no longer ~ somehow strange!"
Several defense politicians reacted with irritation.
"Ceremonial was absolutely appropriate in form, dignity & in the only right place (parliamentary army in front of parliament)", commented the FDP politician Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann.
"Sometimes I really don't understand Twitter anymore," wrote the Green politician Tobias Lindner.
The hashtag “#Zapfenstreich” was at times number two on Thursday morning among the Twitter trends for Germany.
Big tattoo in front of the Reichstag: Ministry of Defense reacted soberly
The Federal Ministry of Defense reacted to the criticism of the Zapfenstreich with disillusionment.
“Debate is necessary and important.
Comparisons with the darkest chapter of Germany disappoint us, ”wrote the ministry on Thursday on Twitter.
The Bundeswehr is a parliamentary army.
"As this she has her place in the midst of society - on special occasions also in front of the Reichstag building."
Invasion of the great tattoo.
In front of the Reichstag building, we honor the soldiers who were deployed for our country in #Afghanistan.
The #Bundeswehr was in the Hindu Kush for 20 years.
20 years that have shaped Germany.
pic.twitter.com/npqoPn6FHd
- Ministry of Defense (@BMVg_Bundeswehr) October 13, 2021
The Bundestag and the federal government thanked the roughly 90,000 men and women of the Bundeswehr deployed in Afghanistan on Wednesday for their difficult mission.
A closing roll call in front of the Ministry of Defense was followed by a grand tattoo in front of the Reichstag building, the highest military ceremony of the German armed forces.
Representatives of the five constitutional organs were present on Wednesday, including Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Video: Big tattoo in front of the Reichstag building on the Afghanistan mission
The origins of the tattoo go back to the 16th century.
This custom is used today to honor federal presidents and chancellors as well as defense ministers when they pass.
The ceremony always takes place in the evening and consists of a parade, several pieces of music - including the national anthem - and the march out.
The big tattoo always includes torchbearers.
There was a big tattoo in front of the Reichstag building around 2015 to mark the 60th anniversary of the Bundeswehr.
(dpa / fmü)
