When they ring the bell, all doors open: for 70 years, the star singers have been traveling through the country after the New Year. 16,000 children and 5,000 accompanying persons are traveling in Upper Austria alone to live out customs, bring blessings and ask for support for those in need. Around two thirds of the star singers in Austria are girls who take on the role of one of the saints in the service of a good cause. Generations of star singers have collected an incredible 520 million euros in Austria over the past seven decades.
However, the beginnings were comparatively modest: the donations from the first fundraising campaign in 1954 were intended to purchase a motorcycle for people in Uganda. The proceeds of 42,387 schillings (3080 euros) were even enough for three motorcycles. Since then, donations have multiplied: last year, the star singers in Austria collected 19.2 million euros.
Blessings for every home
The star singers write the blessing “20 C+M+B 24” on the door with chalk (or stick the blessing sticker on). The abbreviation C+M+B means “Christus mansionem benedicat”, translated as “Christ blesses this house”.
