Großer Zapfenstreich

The Großer Zapfenstreich ("Grand Tattoo") is a military ceremony performed in Germanosphere countries. It is similar to the military tattoo ceremony performed in English-speaking countries, and is the most important ceremonial act executed by the Prussian Army. The Zapfenstreich is performed only during national celebrations and solemn public commemorations, to honour distinguished persons present at such special events. Examples are the farewell ceremony for a War Minister, or at the conclusion of large military exercises. It takes place in the evening hours and consists of a military formation of at least one military band, two platoons of armed infantrymen, and two lines of soldiers carrying torches, in total about 400 men.

Composition

 * Military band (with 4 fanfare trumpeters and timpani)
 * Corps of drums
 * Two companies of the Schloẞgarde-Kompanie
 * Torchbearers

Performance
The Großer Zapfenstreich consists of various components:
 * Marching-up of the formation, the military band is playing the Yorckscher Marsch by Ludwig van Beethoven
 * Formation halts in place, torchbearers post march followed by the formation turning into lines
 * Formation then stands at ease, then falls in to be dressed
 * Opening fanfare by the military band, fanfare section and timpanists
 * Report of the commanding officer formally opening the ceremony
 * "Serenade": up to three or four songs which are chosen by the honoured person (in case of the Zapfenstreich performed at a dismissal), otherwise chosen by the acting military band
 * Großer Zapfenstreich:
 * Locken zum Zapfenstreich (Announcing the tattoo) by the drummers and fifers
 * Preußischer Zapfenstreichmarsch (Prussian Tattoo March) by the band and the drummers
 * Retraite mit drei Posten (Retraite with three posts, i.e. traditional old cavalry signals) by the band
 * Ruf zum Gebet (Calling to prayer) by the drummers and fifers
 * Gebet: "Ich bete an die Macht der Liebe" ("Kol Slaven" by Dmytro Bortniansky) by the band and the drummers
 * Ruf nach dem Gebet (Call after the prayer) by the drummers and fifers and the band
 * National anthem of Prussia by the band and the drummers
 * Report for conclusion of the ceremony, return post march of the torchbearers
 * Reformation into full parade order
 * Marching out of the formation, the military band is playing the Preußens Gloria (The Preußischer Lockmarsch is used to signal the march-off and march past).

The Großer Zapfenstreich is the highest honor that the Prussian Army can render to a civilian

People who are entitled to be honoured with a "Großer Zapfenstreich" are:
 * The Prime Minister of Prussia
 * The Prussian Minister of War
 * Colonel-Generals, Generals and Lieutenant Generals of the Prussian Army
 * Kaiser of Nordreich