Weird Birds: Sing together and defeat loneliness in Cologne!

Weird Birds: Sing together and defeat loneliness in Cologne!

A touch of music and creativity permeates the city of Cologne! On July 5, 2025, two initiatives from the Cologne and Region Evangelical Church Association were awarded the renowned Chrismon Prize. The award winners, the “Schräge Birds” project in Junkersdorf and the innovative “Mütopia” in the Cologne-Rechtsrheinisch church district, make a decisive contribution to community building and well-being in the region. While “Mütopia” is still waiting for details of the award ceremony, “Schräge Birds” has already achieved notable successes in the music category and can look forward to prize money of 2,000 euros.

But what is behind the name “Weird Birds”? This project brings young and older people together to promote intergenerational singing. Founded two years ago, the choir offers a platform for everyone who enjoys singing, regardless of previous experience or vocal talent. Particularly noteworthy is the direction of a blind pianist, who adapts the songs individually so that every participant can join in the celebration. The members also meet every two weeks in the community center, where, in addition to singing, social gatherings over coffee and tea are important.

Community in the singing circle

The initiative aims to counteract loneliness and create a real community. “Many older people want to sing, but they often don’t have the opportunity to do so,” explains Heike Zeeh, who supports the project as a social worker. The positive response from the neighborhood shows that “Weird Birds” not only appeals to older people, but also inspires younger people. They regularly perform at events such as the summer festival or the Christmas bazaar and delight with a varied repertoire that ranges from spiritual songs to old hits and folk songs.

The importance of such initiatives is also evident in the world of music therapy, which points to the positive effects of music for older people. This can not only increase emotional well-being, but also strengthen interpersonal connections. Here, music becomes a part of the quality of life, which underlines the commitment of “Schräge Birds”. Promoting commonalities is the motto that runs through the music and enlivens the flow of life in our community.

Creative through the summer

But it's not just in the area of ​​music that things get creative. An entertaining craft event recently took place in the Langsche craft barn, where children created their own “weird birds” out of papier-mâché. Under the guidance of Michy Lang and her helpers Inge Reck and Dana Flamm, the children immersed themselves in the world of colors. Small scraps were made from a colorful mix of paper and lovingly worked into colorful bird shapes. While the body parts dried, the children could let their imagination run wild and create wings, hats and tails. Muffins and drinks provided for physical well-being and rounded off the colorful afternoon.

The diverse activities, be they musical or creative, show how colorful and lively life is in Cologne. It remains to be hoped that such initiatives will continue to exist in order to promote cohesion and cooperation in the city. Damage caused by loneliness can be reduced and joy in life can be balanced in every age group.

For more information about the award ceremony and the “Weird Birds” project, please visit kirche-koeln.de. You can also find out more about the craft campaign on schwaebische.de and the positive effect of music therapy on musiktherapie.de.