I was particularly delighted by the visit of Estonian Ambassador Marika Linntam, whom we had the pleasure of welcoming to the closing event of the ECARF exhibition “The Sound of Freedom” at the Kaiserin-Friedrich-Haus. Our esteemed colleague Michele Atris curated an exhibition here that pays tribute to the Estonian artist Arvo Wichmann and his works. But not only to him: Wichmann’s works honor the many artists of jazz; his portrait gallery “The Sound of Freedom” is a tribute to the greatest musicians of their time.
“The Sound of Freedom” was also intended to be a tribute to Wichmann’s homeland—Estonia. The northernmost of the three Baltic countries made history with the peaceful “Singing Revolution,” which freed it from socialist control and power. Through his paintings, Wichmann explored music as a stance, as resistance, as an idea of using songs to fight back against socialist oppression. Jazz became the soundtrack of this new beginning, a “musical symbol” of emancipation and self-realization, as the country stood up for itself and reclaimed its freedom.
Prof. Karl-Christian Bergmann and Ambassador Marika Linntam
I was deeply moved by the ambassador’s words, as she was able to draw a connection between jazz, the countryside, and freedom based on her own experience. Freedom is, after all, THE defining issue of our time—politically, economically, socially, and culturally. It is a value we champion, one that we must fight for today. What particularly fascinates me is the idea that ECARF also stands for “freedom.” That we share an awareness of what freedom and independence mean for a healthy life and a healthy society. Freedom begins where people can breathe freely, move freely, and live freely. Health ends where that is no longer possible.
At ECARF, we work every day to harmonize health and freedom. To give a voice to people whose lives are restricted by allergies. So that people with allergies can lead a life without sacrifice or uncertainty; a “free” life in the broadest sense, with participation, self-determination, and the joy of living. The principle is “Only the healthy person is free,” just as “Only the free person is healthy.” That is what we are working toward. Every day.
Many thanks also to Prof. Dr. med. Thomas Kersting and Prof. Karl-Christian Bergmann for their opening remarks.
You can find information about Arvo Wichmann’s work at arvowichmann.de
Here’s to a future that’s friendly to people with allergies,
Sincerely, Alexander Boether