To Peter’s surprise: The oldest Christmas Greetings come from North Germany

Now who would have thought that? The oldest radio programme in the world still running really did originate here in North Germany. On 24 December 1953, the very first ‘Gruß von Bord’ or ‘Shipboard Greetings’ was broadcast on the coastal Norddeich Radio station. Ever since then, family members and friends have been able to send Xmas greetings on Christmas Eve to their loved ones at sea, over the airwaves. For a long time this broadcast was often the only opportunity for seafarers to hear the familiar voices of their wife, girlfriend or children at Christmas – short-wave radio made it possible. Even today, in the age of the mobile and Internet, this cult programme is still of great significance for seafarers and their families. At the end of 1998, Norddeich Radio made its last Christmas greetings broadcast throughout the world. But that wasn’t the end of the story. Today the broadcast goes out on 24 December at 8.05pm on NDR 90.3 und NDR Info. The seafarers use the Livestream in the Internet or read email greetings from their family there. I too wish all those at sea throughout the world a happy holiday season.