Dresden (dpa/sn) - The 30th Christmas Vespers in front of the Frauenkirche was celebrated in Dresden with appeals for peace, reconciliation and humanity. Saxony's Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer (CDU) said on Friday evening in front of hundreds of people that the church was a symbol that something new could emerge from the rubble. "Destruction never has the last word," said Kretschmer. He appealed to people to reach out, be kind, forgive and reconcile. "We all have the opportunity to do that every day," he said.

At the same time, Kretschmer emphasized that almost three years of the corona pandemic had demanded a lot from people. These included fear, insecurity, cracks in friends and family, and deep scars. At the beginning of the Christmas Vespers, a woman from Ukraine and a man from Russia told their life stories, people's worries about the war and their fears for their families. They urged people to pray for peace and keep love in their hearts.

The evangelical state bishop Tobias Bilz said that it is also important to pay attention to people who are looking for a place to stay, no matter where they come from, and not to put obstacles in their way. "People need security," he said. At the same time, he encouraged society to start the new year 2023 full of hope. The Frauenkirche in Dresden was destroyed in the Second World War. After 1990 it was rebuilt through the commitment of people and donors from all over the world.