The Bundeswehr is saying goodbye to Executive Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) with a big tattoo on Thursday evening.

Unlike usual, due to the corona pandemic, there is no reception and a significantly lower number of guests, government spokesman Steffen Seibert announced on Friday in Berlin.

The Chancellor will leave the Ministry of Defense immediately afterwards.

According to the Defense Ministry, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is expected as the guest of honor.

The start of the big tattoo in the courtyard of the Bendler block, the Berlin office of the ministry, is planned for 7.30 p.m., before Merkel will give a short speech.

The ceremony is to be televised live.

"It should rain red roses for me"

According to a report by Spiegel magazine, Merkel chose Hildegard Knef's musical contribution, "For me it should rain red roses", as a musical insert. In addition to the hymn "Great God, we praise you", the staff music corps of the German Armed Forces also rehearse the song "You forgot the color film", with which the punk singer Nina Hagen landed a hit in the GDR in 1974. Seibert did not want to comment on the selection of pieces of music. Der Spiegel goes on to say that around 200 guests have been invited, including the 52 federal ministers from their time in government and other companions. According to current plans, the Chancellor will accept the ceremony while sitting.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defense said that because of the corona pandemic, the event was taking place "in strict compliance with the applicable regulations". Essentially, it is about the soldiers having to keep the distance to the visitors. The 2-G-plus rule applies to the event - participants must be vaccinated or recovered and also present a test.

The great tattoo is considered to be the highest honor that the German armed forces can bestow on a civilian.

Federal presidents and defense ministers are also honored with this custom when they say goodbye.

Its origins go back to the 16th century.

The ceremony always takes place in the evening and consists of a parade, several pieces of music - including the national anthem - and the march out.

Torches are also part of it.