Today, Monday, Diakonie director Maria Katharina Moser presented an Advent wreath to Mayor Michael Ludwig in the Red Salon of Vienna City Hall. The wreath was designed by students from the IFIT school in the 2nd district and carries 24 red and white candles – one for each day of Advent.
Mayor Michael Ludwig gratefully accepted the wreath on behalf of the City of Vienna and emphasized the importance of Diakonie: “Founded exactly 150 years ago, Diakonie has repeatedly found answers to the challenges of the time – from the industrialization of the 19th century to the social upheavals of the 20th century to the complex social issues of our present day. In all these years, the Diakonie has been a reliable partner for the people of Vienna.” From the very beginning, the Diakonie has been an expression of lived charity, which has been committed to people who are dependent on support for a century and a half – from children and the sick to to people on the fringes of society, said Mayor Ludwig. “The city of Vienna is proud to have such a strong partner like Diakonie at its side – a partner that not only helps, but also focuses on values such as solidarity and humanity,” said Ludwig.
Wreath is a traditional expression of the connection between the city and the diakonia
As a sign of the solidarity between the Evangelical Church and the city of Vienna, Diakonie – the social service of the Evangelical Church – presents an Advent wreath to the mayor of Vienna every year. Traditionally, students from the Inclusive Fit School (IFIT) in Leopoldstadt design and decorate the wreath and always decorate it with as many candles as there are days in Advent. Since the first Sunday of Advent this year falls on December 1st, there are exactly 24 candles. After the presentation, the large Diakonie Advent wreath moves, as every year, to the Vienna Christmas market on the Rathausplatz, where you can also find all sorts of interesting facts about the history and origin of the Advent wreath tradition as well as the people who have been working tirelessly for a fairer society for 150 years. can experience.
In addition to its director Moser, the Diakonie was represented by the managing directors Stefan Marchewa and Wilhelm Raber as well as Diakonie Eine Welt rector Wolfgang Ernst, who thanked the City of Vienna for the continued support of the Diakonie: “The Advent wreath is not just a sign of hope, but also an expression of gratitude for the support of Diakonie. Because without reliable partners like the city of Vienna, we wouldn’t be able to help people.” The presentation of the Advent wreath was accompanied by music by two students from the Johann Sebastian Bach Music School.
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