Image: Jana Hofer
Yesterday, Wednesday, the official starting signal for the 70th Epiphany campaign of the Catholic Youth Group was given with the traditional visit to Cardinal Christoph Schönborn. “I am full of admiration for your zeal and enthusiasm,” says Schönborn, acknowledging the efforts of the approximately 85,000 star singer children – two thirds are girls – throughout Austria. Until January 7, 2024, the star singers will go from house to house on the anniversary, bringing musical blessings for the new year and collecting for people in poor regions of the world.
- Also read: Jana Hofer – She embodies the star singer tradition
In 1954, the Upper Austrian Karl Kumpfmüller revived the tradition of star singing – since then, around four million Austrian children and young people have gained their first experience of voluntary work through star singing. The Upper Austrian population is particularly committed to serving the good cause: 16,000 children and young people with around 5,000 accompanying people get involved every year and, last year, collected 4.2 of the 19.2 million euros, the clear highest donation value in a federal state comparison. The second-placed star singers from Vienna contributed around 2.7 million euros. “The campaign has been known to many people over the decades,” says Ludwig ‘Luggi’ Frauenberger, education officer for the Epiphany Campaign in Linz, calling it an Upper Austrian success factor. In addition, “generations across generations have had positive experiences with star singing.” Jana Hofer from the Catholic Youth Group of the Diocese of Linz can only agree with this. “Anyone who was once a star singer and felt the fun and joy first hand will continue this tradition,” emphasizes the organizer in the OÖN interview.
Donations for Guatemala
Around 500 aid projects, mainly in poorer countries in the southern hemisphere, can be financed each year. Guatemala was chosen as the “focus country” for donations for the 70th edition. The Central American state is particularly affected by poverty and exploitation: every second baby in Guatemala is chronically malnourished, therefore developmentally delayed and often sick. The health damage affects those affected throughout their lives. Many children are also exposed to attacks and sexual violence, which leads to severe trauma. “People know that this campaign is something clever and that the donations really reach there,” says Frauenberger. Finally, the finances are checked annually by an independent auditor, and the “donation quality seal” guarantees transparency.
Video: On Wednesday, star singers visited Cardinal Schönborn to kick off the campaign
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Source: Nachrichten
