Merz: The happiness of living in the West - political commitment in Magdeburg

Merz: The happiness of living in the West - political commitment in Magdeburg

In a moving speech at the state party conference of the Saxony-Anhalt CDU in Magdeburg, Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) emphasized the importance of peace and freedom for the people of western Germany. Merz emphasized that he was born in the West and considers this a personal stroke of luck. While people in the West have been living in freedom for over 80 years, East Germans have only been able to look back on this achievement for 35 years. “The results achieved are not based on historical coincidences,” said Merz, who attaches great importance to the political decisions of the last decades. He particularly focuses on the challenges and disputes in the Bundestag after reunification in 1990. At the same time, he calls for more calm in today's political debates.

The Chancellor also highlighted current political discussions, such as those surrounding the planned pension package. According to Merz’s assessment, these debates are “right and necessary”. At a time when politicking is often characterized by emotions and differences of opinion, Merz appeals to the ability to argue politically and to allow for different opinions.

A master of landscape painting: Caspar David Friedrich

While Merz sheds light on the political currents of the present, another important German is remembered in the art world: Caspar David Friedrich. The landscape painter, born on September 5, 1774 in Greifswald, is considered the most important artist of his generation. Known for his ability to capture the pristine beauty and somber melancholy of nature, Friedrich often combines simple human figures with grandiose landscapes in his works. His works stimulate thought and convey a subjective, emotional response to the environment.

Friedrich created over 500 works, often depicting thoughtful figures in front of three-dimensional backdrops, from the chalk cliffs on Rügen to Gothic ruins. His most famous works, such as “Chalk Cliffs on Rügen” and “The Cross in the Mountains”, give an idea of ​​how important the spiritual and emotional dimensions of life were to him.

A life full of setbacks and successes

Friedrich experienced many low blows in his life, including the loss of his mother and brother in childhood. These strokes of fate shaped his view of the world and his artistic work. Despite successful early years, in which his paintings were in demand in museums and with the king, Frederick experienced a phase of obscurity in his later years. After his death in 1840, his work was largely forgotten until his art was rediscovered in the early 20th century, particularly through an important exhibition in Berlin in 1906.

Today, Friedrich is not only honored in the art scene, but also finds his place in Germany's cultural history. Around 200 events are planned in Greifswald to mark his 250th birthday in 2024. The Pomeranian State Museum and the Hamburger Kunsthalle also show exhibitions on his life and work to underline his importance as an artist.

Caspar David Friedrich will be remembered not only for his timeless works, which deal with themes such as spirituality, loneliness and the transience of life, but also for his radical work as a reaction to the political and social circumstances of his time. His influence can still be felt today in the art work of subsequent generations.