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Austria showed a great willingness to help: around 10 million euros on Christmas Eve alone
Vienna (OTS) – In this year marked by the pandemic, social cohesion and solidarity were the axis of the program more than ever. As an expression of the similarity, the high-ranking representatives of the recognized denominations also left a signal that, especially in difficult times, religious communities bear a special responsibility. Numerous representatives from politics, business, sport and culture supported the program presented by Barbara Stöckl and Peter Resetarits, live from the ORF center, or assisted in the call center of technology partner A1, in which Nina Kraft and Andreas Onea were hosts.
Cardinal Schönborn: “Humanity must have the last word”
Cardinal Archbishop Christoph Schönborn of Vienna recalled that the real message of Christmas was that God had allowed himself into this world and “that, therefore, the world is not lost, even if it is in a crisis like the pandemic of the crown”. Cardenal emphasized: “Fear is not a good advisor. The great wisdom of all religions is today. We do not have tomorrow under control, yesterday has passed ”. Regarding the situation of refugees in camps such as Greece or Bosnia, the cardinal warned: “Politics must not have the last word, humanity must have the last word. You can find ways to combine good politics and humanity. ”
As a “voice of reason,” religious communities in particular are tasked with cultivating an appreciative and harmonious exchange in crisis situations, as Ümit Vural, president of the Community of Islamic Faith in Austria, emphasized. Other religious representatives such as Chief Rabbi Jaron Engelmayer, Greek Orthodox Archpriest Nikolaus Rappert, President of the Buddhist Religious Society, Gerhard Weissgrab, and the Higher Council of the Evangelical Church in Austria also formulated the value of solidarity and the opportunity to discover positive things in the crisis. , Karl Schiefermair.
Ö3 Christmas Miracle: More than 4.1 million euros for needy families in Austria
In the course of the morning broadcast of “Licht ins Dunkel”, the “Ö3 Christmas Miracle” came to an end at Hitradio Ö3 studios in Heiligenstadt: shortly before 10 am, Tina Ritschl, Andi Knoll and Robert Kratky reported the results of its 120 hours – To announce the broadcast of music of desire: Ö3 listeners commissioned requests for music for 3,759,701 euros and at the same time donated it to the “Licht ins Dunkel” emergency aid fund. Added to this is the previous result of Ö3’s € 400,000 surprise bag campaign, “with which the Ö3 community has once again marked a clear sign of unity in this difficult year,” says Ö3 boss Georg Spatt .
Federal President Van der Bellen: Call for Courage and Confidence
Federal President and “Licht ins Dunkel” campaign sponsor Alexander Van der Bellen and his wife Doris Schmidauer were invited that morning and assisted on the donation phones. In an interview with Barbara Stöckl, the Federal President underscored the importance of trust, not just at Christmas: “It’s important to remember that with courage and confidence, you live life very differently in the long run. You have to find a way even in crisis situations. So we learned from the pandemic, that no one would have expected at the beginning, that we will have a vaccine by the end of the year ”. Regarding humanity and the great need of the people who have fled to Greece and Bosnia, the federal president said. : “I strongly advocate setting an example in this great emergency, which is unworthy of Europe. Even if this signal is not a perfect solution. ”
Doris Schmidauer was delighted with the solidarity of the people on the donation phone: “Many loyal donors call, for whom this great ‘Licht ins Dunkel’ campaign is a kind of Christmas ritual.”
Wrabetz, CEO of ORF: “ORF connects in times of social distancing”
ORF Managing Director Dr. Alexander Wrabetz was a guest at the lunchtime study “Licht ins Dunkel” and underscored the importance of public service broadcasting: “Television has been a very important information medium this year. . But entertainment is also important, which we have offered to people in difficult times. Once again it has been shown: the ORF connects and that has taken on a special meaning during social distancing. Therefore, it was especially important that we were able to maintain our operational reliability. Fortunately, our measures ensured that we were able to keep all of our programs running. “
Government leaders and representatives of parliament: “Challenging year”
Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz underlined: “It was an extremely challenging year for all of us. Also for politics. This year everyone realized that health is simply the highest good, which unfortunately cannot be taken for granted. ” The Chancellor emphasized how difficult it is, especially for older people, to cross the line between necessary protection on the one hand and isolation on the other. Briefly, he was optimistic that the new year “hopefully brings a radical change” and, with the return to normality, “a state that prescribes the fewest possible rules” will once again be possible.
Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler of the Greens called cohesion and patience, both in private and in politics, as virtues of the pandemic, which also applies to the question of vaccination: “Some should present arguments, but without compulsion, and Those who are skeptical are, listen to the arguments ”. For the silent night, which this year will become an unusual reality, especially for New Year’s Eve, “it could also be useful to calm down more,” said the vice-rector.
The opposition parties also brought the message of unity to the fore, where the political controversy stopped. SPÖ party leader Pamela Rendi-Wagner: “It is a year of maximum challenges and great lessons. Corona’s great lesson is that we can only overcome these crises together. ” To eliminate fears and insecurities, listening and providing information are the most important tools.
Norbert Hofer, leader of the FPÖ federal party, on his experiences on the donation phone: “Especially at Christmas time, politics is not a problem at all, but personal, human accounts. But of course politics is with each of us because politics influences life. Everyone has their backpack, so you have to be able to talk about it. ” Two things are important on the road to happiness: “Humility and gratitude,” says Hofer.
National Council Member Helmut Brandstätter of NEOS admitted that even politicians don’t have answers for everything and that “lifelong learning” is just as important as “strong media and strong opposition” to democratic control. Regarding the situation of refugees in Europe, Brandstätter said: “Within the European Union there should be no hunger and displacement. If we want to be true to ourselves, we have to do something. “
“Licht ins Dunkel” -President Nekula: “I lived inclusion in all areas of life”
“Licht ins Dunkel” – President Kurt Nekula formulated in light of the relief operation’s leitmotif, “Seeing the people”: “First you have to say that when you see people, you have to support the individual who needs help.” Nekula spoke of walking a tightrope between the political responsibility of people in precarious situations, on the one hand, and the challenge of private aid organizations to react quickly when people need help. For the association “Licht ins Dunkel” the promotion of inclusive projects has the highest priority: “We support projects in which disabled and non-disabled children learn together. But it is very important to us that people with disabilities later find a job, receive their own income, not handouts that allow self-determination in all areas of life. “
Christmas at home: “Licht ins Dunkel” highlights from all federal states
The afternoon broadcast of “Licht ins Dunkel” showed various live entries at ORF’s regional studios, where featured guests, engaging talks, moving stories, regional customs, unique initiatives, musical performances, and examples of how and where help is provided everywhere. were shown.
Pius Strobl: “Feel joy and gratitude on this day”
The Federal President, the Federal Chancellor and the Vice Chancellor, high-ranking representatives of all parliamentary parties, the Mayor of Vienna and the Archbishop of Vienna, representatives of the world religions in Austria, representatives of culture, business and sport , numerous celebrities, soldiers of the Austrian Armed Forces and representatives of civil society gathered for this special event. Day for a good cause: help families with children in need in Austria.
Pius Strobl, head of ORF “Licht ins Dunkel”, thanked “for the great help of the Austrians” and “for the contagious commitment of a whole house, from radio, television, Internet and TELETEXT, from headquarters to all state studies. “Strobl:” Above all, I feel joy, gratitude and humility on this day. The spirit of all those involved, the willingness to donate people over the phone, the social cohesion between the parties and the religious communities was palpable throughout the day. Around 10 million euros just today, December 24, plus the great result of the gala night ‘Licht ins Dunkel’ on November 25, the ‘Licht ins Dunkel’ auctions of ORF Sports and ORF III excite me a lot. is confident that the ‘Licht ins Dunkel’ aid can be continued on a large scale by the ‘Licht ins Dunkel’ association despite the difficult Crown period. “
This is only possible with the support of so many donors across the country, helping small and large amounts to maintain this important continuity. Our phones are still answered on 0800 664 2412 “.
Donations can also be made after December 24 by calling or texting the toll-free number for donations A1 0800 664 24 12, as well as online at lichtinsdunkel.ORF.at or on Facebook under ORFLichtinsDunkel. All information on donation options can also be found on ORF TELETEXT on page 680. The full broadcast of “Licht ins Dunkel” is available as a live broadcast and after having been broadcast on television for seven days on the platform of ORF-TVthek video as video on demand available.
Queries and contact:
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