Connection through music and poetry

Friedrich Schiller wrote his “Ode to Joy” in 1785 for Christian Gottfried Körner, who later published a complete edition of Schiller’s works. The “Ode to Joy” was written out of friendship, it was set to music by Beethoven in 1824 as the 4th movement of his 9th Symphony and has probably gained a reputation throughout the world as a work of art of brotherhood and joy, both musically and poetically. Since 1972, “Freude schöner Götterfunken” has been the official anthem of the Council of Europe and since 1985 the official anthem of the EU.

Like a great sentiment and poetic power, like a brilliant musical setting, how this interplay soars up to the levels of politics and international reconciliation, like a shining symbol and a reminder of what we humans are and could be, fraternal and united in friendship – this is what the “Ode to Joy” still brings to us today, 250 years after it was written.

This flash mob staged in the city of Sabadell in Catalonia is yet another example of how the power of music and the magic of words can joyfully touch and connect people, young and old, parents, children, musicians and passers-by. It is an infectious force, this warm-hearted knowledge of the deep connection between all people “on the face of the earth.”