WIENER CHORMÄDCHEN & FRIENDS

In the “Vienna Girls Choir & Friends” series, the choir girls invite the Dresden Philharmonic Children’s Choir to MuTh for a joint benefit concert in aid of child protection. Admission is free, and all proceeds go to Die Möwe Kinderschutz, a child protection organisation.

The Dresden Philharmonic Children’s Choir was established over fifty years ago. It is one of the best-known and most successful children’s choirs in Germany. Currently, around 140 girls and boys sing in the choir’s various formations. The programme centres on joint performances with the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra as well as the choir’s own concerts. The repertoire spans from the Renaissance to contemporary works, encompassing everything from folk songs to pop music. In addition to concerts in Germany, the Philharmonic Children’s Choir also goes on tour, including to Japan, China, the USA, the United Arab Emirates, England, France, Australia and South Africa. In autumn 2025, the choir will visit Austria, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

For 35 years, die möwe has been campaigning for a healthy upbringing and the protection of children from violence and its consequences. At a total of six locations in Vienna and Lower Austria (St. Pölten, Mistelbach, Mödling, Neunkirchen and Gänserndorf), möwe offers children, young people and their carers practical support and professional help in cases of physical, psychological and sexual violence. Every year, more than 7,000 people receive free counselling and support, anonymously if desired. Our services include general counselling in cases of suspicion, crisis intervention following experiences of violence, ongoing support, and psychotherapy to process traumatic experiences. Through the preventative programmes offered by the möwe Academy, we aim to make knowledge of child protection widely accessible, helping to prevent violence against children and young people before it occurs. We want to create an environment in which every child can grow up healthy and safe, both at home and in kindergarten, school and during their leisure time. As part of the early help programme, families with children aged 0 to 3 who are experiencing stressful situations receive early, easily accessible support to better manage daily life. Despite growing awareness and increased reporting, violence, neglect, and sexual assault remain difficult and taboo subjects, often leading to overwhelming stress and feelings of helplessness. The aim of möwe’s educational and informational work is to raise awareness and inspire people not to turn a blind eye, but to see child protection as a shared social responsibility.