On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, we, together with the Konzertchor Darmstadt, invite you to a special concert titled “Stimmen, die bleiben”. The event is a tribute from generations to the voices that must never be silenced. At a time when peace and humanity cannot be taken for granted, this concert stands as a powerful symbol of remembrance, cultural diversity, and a living democracy. It is a public affirmation of responsibility toward Germany’s history, particularly toward those who fell victim to systematic silencing.
The program features works of great expressive and historical significance. Ralf Yusuf Gawlick’s The Source (Die Quelle), inspired by the poetry of Pope John Paul II, offers a fresh perspective on memory and cultural diversity. Roger Moreno-Rathgeb’s Requiem for Auschwitz, rooted in the Romani tradition, recalls the Porajmos—the genocide of European Roma. Arnold Schönberg’s masterpiece “A Survivor from Warsaw” is one of the composer’s most moving works; narrator Frederic Böhle presents the harrowing story of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising from the perspective of a Jewish survivor.
The concert will conclude with the IV Movement of Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, featuring the “Ode to Joy”, the European anthem symbolizing a shared, democratic future.
The event takes place under the patronage of Darmstadt’s Mayor, Hanno Benz, in cooperation with numerous cultural and educational institutions.