Federal President emphasizes importance of peaceful coexistence in Germany

With a view to the Gaza war, German President Frank Walter-Steinmeier has stressed the importance of peaceful coexistence in Germany. "We must be united in condemning terrorist violence," he said Sunday at a benefit concert in Leipzig. In view of the protests taking place in Germany, he said, "we must also abide by rules on the streets." He said he hopes people in Germany can and will live peacefully with each other, regardless of their religious affiliation.

The German president's benefit concert was launched in 1988 by then-President Richard von Weizsäcker and takes place annually in a different German state. The proceeds of the event go to social and cultural organizations. This year, Steinmeier and Saxony's Minister President Michael Kretschmer (CDU) chose the "Kinder forschen" foundation, which promotes early childhood education in the natural sciences.

The concert was broadcast live from Leipzig's Media City for the first time on German public broadcaster Ersten. The MDR Symphony Orchestra played pieces to commemorate the 100th anniversary of broadcasting in Germany. Conductor Enrico Delamboye led the orchestra, and Ukrainian saxophonist Asya Fateyeva and singer and actor Max Müller appeared as guests.