Heino's solidarity concert sparks debate over German anthem controversy
Bad Belzig (dpa) – German flags, chants of "Heino," and classic hits: In the Brandenburg town of Bad Belzig, the 87-year-old schlager and folk music legend is celebrated with enthusiasm. At his performance in this small spa town on Saturday evening, the focus is on his songs like Blue Gentian and Rosamunde—but above all, on a case that has deeply divided opinions.
Richard Mänder, a firefighter from Bad Belzig, lost his official roles at a fire brigade championship in Saxony after playing the controversial first verse of the German national anthem. Heino has criticized the dismissal and, as part of his solo tour Made in Germany, traveled to this 11,000-inhabitant town for a solidarity concert.
The roughly 800 attendees dance to Karamba, Karacho, ein Whiskey and The Black Barbara, with Heino occasionally turning the multipurpose hall into a raucous beer-tent atmosphere.
"Layla" Sparks Cheers
When the party anthem Layla—accused of sexism—plays ("I've got a brothel, and my madam's named Layla / She's prettier, younger, hotter"), the crowd roars in approval. Among them is schlager singer Melanie Müller, who recently made headlines after being convicted for performing the Hitler salute.
Lars Schieske, an AfD member of the Bundestag from Cottbus, posts on Instagram after the concert: "It was exactly the mix we needed." He describes the event as feeling like a tight-knit community.
Heino's Manager: "We're Taking a Stand for the Firefighter"
Heino's manager, Helmut Werner, states: "It's important that we're here today, showing our colors and getting involved." He argues that Mänder deserves a second chance.
Firefighters from Saxony and Thuringia attend in solidarity, calling Mänder's punishment excessive. The German Fire Brigade Association, however, stands by its decision to remove him from all judging duties.
Heino, the blonde singer with his signature dark glasses, has sparked controversy throughout his long career. A cult figure for some, he remains polarizing—often linked to the far-right political spectrum. Years ago, he faced backlash for a "homeland" album featuring songs also found in the "SS Songbook."
Heino's 1970s Recording Leads to Firefighter's Ousting
What's behind Heino's concert amid the firefighter controversy? At the German Firefighting Championships in Torgau, North Saxony, in August 2025, the historically disputed first verse of the national anthem ("Germany, Germany above all") was played instead of the official hymn. It was Heino's 1970s recording—including all three verses—made at the request of then-Baden-Württemberg Minister-President Hans Filbinger (CDU), a former Nazi naval judge.
Firefighter Denies "Far-Right" Label
Mänder explains that he found the version on YouTube as the first search result and downloaded it for the championship's opening. He feels unfairly treated and stigmatized by the fire brigade association's sanctions. "They tried to brand me as a far-right extremist," he says, rejecting the accusation.
Wearing a T-shirt from the 2025 Torgau championships, Mänder expresses regret over the "misunderstanding" but insists he shouldn't bear sole responsibility: "Others in the organizing team were involved too."
Heino's manager tells dpa: "We didn't approve of that version of the anthem being played at a federal fire brigade competition." Later, addressing the cheering crowd, he adds that the first verse "has never been banned."
A Hymn with a Dark History
The Song of the Germans, penned by August Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben in 1841, was later exploited by the Nazis to promote their imperial ambitions. In 1952, President Theodor Heuss (FDP), at Chancellor Konrad Adenauer's (CDU) request, designated only the third verse—"Unity and justice and freedom"—as the official national anthem.
Black, Red, and Gold Dominate the Stage as Heino Performs—Including "Brown Is the Hazelnut" as an Encore
At a Heino concert in Bad Belzig, southwest of Berlin, the sea of black, red, and gold flags—both on and off stage—is a familiar sight. For his encore, the singer performs classics like "Schwarzbraun ist die Haselnuss" ("Brown Is the Hazelnut"). Some men in the crowd repeatedly chant "Ostdeutschland, Ostdeutschland!" in unison.
Heino's Manager Dismisses Critics as "Clueless Illiterates"
When asked about accusations that Heino leans to the right politically, his manager points to the singer's past support for banning the far-right AfD party, his history as an SPD voter, and his later campaigning for the CDU. "What does Heino have to do with the right?" the manager retorts. "Just because he sings folk songs? Frankly, I think the people making these claims are clueless illiterates."
Firefighter's Feud with Association Escalates
At the end of the concert, firefighter Maender waves a German flag to cheers from the crowd, his name ringing out in chants as he receives Heino merchandise onstage. "I'd say about half the audience tonight comes from the German firefighter sports community—they're here supporting me," Maender says.
The competitive referee, who recently co-founded a new firefighter sports association, plans to organize annual championships—much to the dismay of the state fire brigade federation. Its president warns the move could deepen divisions within the firefighting world.
Meanwhile, not everyone in Bad Belzig is welcoming Heino with open arms. Under the slogan "Knallbunt ist die Haselnuss" ("Brightly Colored Is the Hazelnut"), a rival group hosts a "Party for Diversity" the same evening.
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