Heino shows the flag: concert in Bad Belzig for a fired firefighter!

Heino shows the flag: concert in Bad Belzig for a fired firefighter!

A new chapter for the popular folk singer Heino: The artist has announced a concert in Bad Belzig (Potsdam-Mittelmark) for 2026. The reason for this event is solidarity with the fired firefighter Richard Münder, who is in the headlines due to a controversial incident. This reports, among other things Picture.

The incident that led to Münder's dismissal occurred in August 2023 at the opening ceremony of the German Fire Brigade Championships in Torgau. Instead of the third verse of the Deutschlandlied, which is officially considered the national anthem, the controversial first verse, which is historically linked to the National Socialists, was played. This led to the immediate reaction of the German Fire Brigade Association, which removed Münder from his offices and banned him from wearing the fire brigade uniform.

Heino's clear statement

Heino spoke out clearly against this decision and described the punishment as excessive. In a post on Instagram, he called for a “second chance” for the firefighter. The singer also emphasized that Münder was never part of a right-wing scene, which was also established in an official verification process. Heino warmly invites Münder and his family to his concert, which will take place on March 28, 2026 as part of his “Made in Germany” tour rbb24 reported.

Heino plans to present not only his well-known hits at this concert, but also the Brandenburg anthem “Märkische Heide” and the official national anthem, which has only been sung in the form of the third verse since 1952. The German national anthem itself has an eventful history and has been called the Deutschlandlied since 1922, although the first verse is no longer part of the anthem, which was particularly misused by the National Socialists.

A complex topic

The original Deutschlandlied by August Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben, to the melody of Joseph Haydn, is often discussed in public. In the post-war period, singing the first verse was even forbidden in the American zone. The third verse, which now serves as the national anthem, was officially adopted by the then heads of government in 1952 and reaffirmed after reunification in 1990. This is all part of the historical legacy that Heino takes up through his musical performances. His concerts make it clear how divided society is regarding national symbols and how important it is to learn from history.

The discussion surrounding Richard Münder and his dismissal shows how sensitive the topic of the national anthem is in Germany. Historically charged verses, such as the first verse of the Deutschlandlied, can quickly lead to controversy and often trigger heated debates. Heino's concert in Bad Belzig could therefore also be a place for reflection and discussion about national identity and belonging.