2018 coincides with the 200th anniversary of Austrian Christmas carol “Silent Night”. To mark the occasion, the Austrian embassy in Luxembourg has launched a call for choirs, soloists and all music lovers in Luxembourg to record a rendition of the classic carol in the language of their choosing.
Participants should send their video clips to [email protected] before 22 December 2018 to be part of the challenge.
All entries will be presented on the “Still Nacht Challenge Luxemburg 2018” YouTube channel. The versions with the most public likes will be awarded prizes, among them €1,000 worth of shopping vouchers, DVDs, CDs and books.
To end the celebrations, on 22 December, from 12 noon to 7pm, all concerts at the kiosk in Place d’Armes will be dedicated to the Silent Night challenge.
Meanwhile, people can take part in a ‘Silent Night’ flashmob in Place d’Armes Christmas market, where they can sing along in any of three languages.
About the song
‘Silent Night’ came from a poem by young Salzburg priest, Joseph Mohr, set to Franz Xaver Gruber’s melody. It shares a simple message of hope for and belief in a better life on earth. Its unifying power was especially apparent during the two world wars.
Its status as a song of world peace was confirmed when Unesco declared it intangible cultural heritage in 2011.
You can find out more about the song and its history in an exhibition at Place Jan Palach in Luxembourg City-Centre in the run-up to Christmas.