Giant Ukraine demo in Berlin: Natalia Klitschko expresses herself emotionally - "Terrible what is happening"

Created: 03/20/2022, 21:32

By: Andreas Schmid

Thousands of spectators gathered at the Brandenburg Gate for the "Sound of Peace" solidarity rally.

Numerous well-known artists performed on the stage and demonstrated their support for Russia's attacked Ukraine.

© Joerg Carstensen/dpa

With "Europe's largest musical rally" in Berlin, musicians set an example against the Ukraine war.

Natalia Klitschko also speaks.

Berlin – Thousands of people in several German cities protested against the Ukraine war* again on Sunday.

With a large solidarity rally in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, cultural workers signaled their support for Ukraine.

According to the organizers, the peace campaign "Sound of Peace" should become "Europe's largest musical rally" against the war.

Ukraine war: Maffay, Silbermond, Westernhagen - "Freedom is the only one missing"

According to the police, an estimated 15,000 people came to the musical action in the early evening, as well as around 900 emergency services.

Among others, David Garrett, Peter Maffay, Revolverheld, Sarah Connor, Silbermond and Marius Müller-Westernhagen were on stage.

Westernhagen played his hit

at around 8:30 p.m.

The song released more than 30 years ago, which has already become an anthem of reunification, also caused emotions in 2022.

Lichtenhagen rewrote the song a bit.

In the original it says "Freedom is the only thing that counts".

In Berlin, the musician from Düsseldorf sang at times: "Freedom is the only thing that's missing." The singer Clueso brought a Ukrainian on stage who, according to him, currently lives at home with him.

The two sang a song together.

Ukraine war: Natalia Klitschko at the Brandenburg Gate - "only together can we create peace"

Also present in Berlin was Natalia Klitschko, wife of the mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko.

“It is important to see the masses that come together here.

It's important to see that the whole world stands for Ukraine," said Klitschko.

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It's about ending the war in your country as quickly as possible.

"With unity, if we all stand up, we will achieve this." Ukraine is currently fighting for all people, "for peace around the world," said Klitschko.

"Only together can we create peace," she said on stage, thanking the thousands of people on the Street of June 17th.

Following this, Klitschko announced a "new song for my country" and sang the song "Better Days".

"What is happening to my country now is terrible," said the mayor's wife on the sidelines of the demo.

Natalia Klitschko at the Sound of Peace rally in Berlin on Sunday.

© Daniel Lakomski/Imago

Minister of State for Culture Claudia Roth (Greens), formerly a band manager herself, said: "Music transcends all borders, brings people together - music gives hope, gives strength against those who bring hatred and violence and murder and death with them." It is important that Russian artists will also be there.

"It would be devastating if we were to end up in a culture boycott now," emphasized Roth.

War in Ukraine: Musical protest in Vienna - more than 8 million euros donated in Berlin

A similar action took place in Austria.

Dozens of musicians, including Bilderbuch and Wanda, played for free at a large benefit concert in Vienna on Saturday in front of more than 40,000 spectators in the Ernst Happel Stadium.

Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen thanked everyone for their willingness to help.

"Together we are setting a strong sign for peace," he said in a speech.

He also addressed Vladimir Putin* directly: "President Putin, stop this war!"

Just selling the tickets for the symbolic price of 19.91 euros - Ukraine became independent in 1991 - raised a good 810,000 euros.

According to the broadcasting television station ProSieben, more than eight million euros in donations had been received in Germany by 9 p.m.

"Sound of Peace" is supported by the "Germany Helps" campaign.