Epiphany
The Dreikönigsaktion ( DKA for short ) is the aid organization of the Katholische Jungschar , the children's organization of the Catholic Church in Austria . The development work of the Dreikönigsaktion, with its various activities, is based on all three organizational levels of the Catholic youth group ( parish , diocese , federal level).
Caroling campaign
The action is based on a private initiative in Vienna from 1946. The civil servant Franz Pollheimer went starring with his children for the renovation of the Piarist College and the Piarist Church , for social purposes (refugee aid), for the restoration of St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna and for assistance in developing countries .
As a sign of solidarity with people in Africa, Asia and Latin America, the Catholic youth group took up the old tradition of carol singing in 1954 and gave it a current meaning. Every year around January 6th, around 85,000 boys and girls go from house to house in their parishes, dressed up as the Three Wise Men . The good news of the birth of Jesus is proclaimed with songs, sayings and blessings . At the same time, the children draw attention to the plight of the people in Africa, Asia and Latin America and collect donations .
The 65th caroling campaign in 2019 raised 17.6 million euros. These donations benefit more than a million people in developing countries , a total of 450 million euros have been donated to the carol singers since 1954.
Thus the carol singing campaign of the Catholic youth group is the largest aid campaign for people in developing countries in Austria.
Fields of activity
The work of the Dreikönigsaktion is divided into the three fields of activity "project cooperation", "education and public relations" and "advocacy": As part of development cooperation, the Dreikönigsaktion supports around 500 projects in more than 20 countries every year. Various types of projects for children and young people, education, secure livelihoods, the strengthening of human rights and civil society, a church in the service of the people and information for the Austrian population are supported in project cooperation.
Web link
Individual evidence
- ↑ Entry on Dreikönigsaktion in the Austria Forum (in the ABC on Austrian Folklore), accessed on December 5, 2011