Weird birds bring community and music into seniors' lives!

Weird birds bring community and music into seniors' lives!

There is reason to be happy in Cologne! Two initiatives from the Evangelical Church Association will be honored in the 2025 Chrismon competition. The group “Weird Birds” from Junkersdorf and the “Mütopia” project in the Cologne-Rechtsrheinisch church district emerged as prize winners. Particularly gratifying: The “Weird Birds” choir will be funded with 2,000 euros in the music category, which will sustainably support the valuable work of this community for older people.

The “Weird Birds” are committed to singing that connects generations. The aim is to promote community and counteract the loneliness of many older citizens. Launched two years ago, the doors are open to everyone – regardless of whether they have previous experience or not. “Many older people want to sing, but have no opportunity to do so,” says social worker Heike Zeeh, describing the inspiration behind the project. A central aspect: The songs are transposed into suitable pitches for older voices so that all participants can sing with joy.

Special commitment and support

The choir director, a blind pianist, plays the piano as well as the accordion and guitar. The meetings take place every two weeks in the community center and include a social coffee break. In addition, some participants are picked up by volunteers, which shows how close the group is. The “Weird Birds” are not only actively practicing, but have also already made public appearances, such as at the summer festival in the monastery or the Christmas bazaar.

Another interesting aspect of the “Schrägen Wälder” is that the group not only consists of passionate singers, but also has members who come from the fringes of society. Despite the challenges many of them experience, they have retained their sense of humor and have a strong interest in theater. The plays they develop are based on their real life stories and create a connection between their experiences and those of the audience. The value of community and solidarity becomes particularly clear here.

A look outside the box

These efforts are reminiscent of similar projects that contribute to promoting togetherness in old age, such as the activities of the Bavarian Philharmonic Orchestra, which plays music in retirement homes. Here we not only sing, but also promote strong social skills, which strengthens the self-esteem of the participants. With the same goals, it is also the responsibility of the “Schrägen Vogels” to use the power of music to create touching encounters for seniors. Music becomes an important element here that connects generations and brings joy.

With the common goals of being together and having fun singing, the “Weird Birds” have not only conquered the hearts of their listeners, but have also found a permanent place in the community. The positive response from the neighborhood and recognition by society are further evidence of the success of this initiative. In the future, the group not only wants health for everyone, but also more opportunities to sing together.

For those who would like to take part in this unique project or offer support for the theater projects, there are numerous opportunities to become a sponsor. The “Weird Birds” are happy about every pair of hands that supports them in this valuable task.

But don't forget: the "Weird Birds" have every reason to be proud - not only because they are now one of the award-winning initiatives, but also because they show that old age is not about loneliness, but about community.