The Federal President still expects drastic consequences of the Ukraine war in Germany. The Berliner Philharmoniker play a solidarity concert in Bellevue Palace. A guest stays away.
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier prepared the people in Germany for difficult times and losses as a result of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine.
“We are also facing harder days in Germany,” he said on Sunday in a video message for a concert for freedom and peace by the Berlin Philharmonic at Bellevue Palace. The severe sanctions imposed would inevitably bring them. “We will have to be ready to wear them if our solidarity is not to be just lip service if it is to be taken seriously.”
“And the whole truth is: there are still many hardships ahead of us,” said Steinmeier. Despite all ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the war, the following applies: “Our solidarity and our support, our steadfastness, and our willingness to make restrictions will be required for a long time to come.”
Small cast in the big hall
The renowned orchestra, with musicians also from Ukraine, Russia and Belarus, played works by Ukrainian, Russian and Polish composers in a small formation in the Great Hall of the Federal President’s official residence. However, the Ukrainian Ambassador Andriy Melnyk was outraged that only Russian soloists – including the pianist Yevgeny Kissin – performed. «An affront. Sorry I’m staying away,” he wrote on Twitter.
The spokeswoman for the Federal President, Cerstin Gammelin, regretted this on Twitter. The concert offers the possibility of a common sign for Ukraine. “It’s a pity we can’t send this sign together.” Gammelin pointed out that the focus of the program was the important Ukrainian composer Valentin Silvestrov, who himself had just fled his homeland at the advanced age of 84. After the official concert, Silvestrov played a current composition on the grand piano, in which he processed the impressions of his flight.
The Russian chief conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic, Kirill Petrenko, had to cancel at short notice due to illness. Nodoka Okisawai conducted the orchestra for him. The Federal President and his wife Elke Büdenbender were also only able to watch the concert on television due to a corona disease. Steinmeier therefore spoke to the guests in a video message.
“These are terrible days and weeks. We are all shocked, we are appalled by what is happening in Ukraine,” he said. Steinmeier recalled that in his speech after his election in mid-February, he warned Russian President Vladimir Putin not to underestimate the strength of democracy. “Today we know: He underestimated her.” Steinmeier thanked all citizens for their solidarity with the Ukrainians who are fleeing their country.
“There is war in Europe”
The Federal President showed understanding for the fears that many people were feeling. “The older ones have deep, horrible memories, while the younger ones have a shock they never thought possible: there is war in Europe.” Nobody can simply take away these fears. “But we can counter the fear with something: our defense and our humanity, our desire for peace and belief in freedom and democracy, which we will never give up, which we will always defend.”
He knows that belief in freedom and democracy alone cannot stop a tank. “But I also know this: no tank can ever destroy this belief. No army, no regime of repression is stronger than the radiance of freedom and democracy in people’s minds and hearts,” said Steinmeier.
Source: Stern
David William is a talented author who has made a name for himself in the world of writing. He is a professional author who writes on a wide range of topics, from general interest to opinion news. David is currently working as a writer at 24 hours worlds where he brings his unique perspective and in-depth research to his articles, making them both informative and engaging.
