Homburg artist Hermann Theophil Juncker has painted a new work for the Siebenpfeiffer Foundation on behalf of the Saarpfalz district. For the presentation at the invitation of District Administrator Dr Theophil Gallo and the Juncker family, facility manager Nina Göbel-Jung created a beautiful ambience in the Haus am Schlossberg deaconry centre. Even though paintings generally always leave room for interpretation: The message comes across unmistakably - peace and understanding in Europe.
In his speech, District Administrator Dr Theophil Gallo recalled Juncker's etching on the occasion of the 200th anniversary celebrations with remarkable views of the Saarpfalz district, which is presented as a gift on special occasions. He also thanked Gunnar Feth, Chairman of the Friends of the Siebenpfeiffer Foundation, who had suggested a similar work of art as a special feature for the Siebenpfeiffer Prize.
This view is fully reflected in the theme "Fascination Europe", which the Saarpfalz district and the district adult education centre are using to headline various events, not least in the European election year. "Several motifs relating to Europe play a role. The USA, with which the district has a long-standing partnership, is also included. I am very grateful to Hermann Theophil Juncker for the great artistic realisation. It took several meetings, which I would not have wanted to miss, for our ideas to result in this picture in the truest sense of the word. I found the time we spent together very exciting and enriching," said District Administrator Dr Theophil Gallo, who was very proud of the "expressive" result and continued: "We urgently need Europe, not only as a necessary overarching authority that can guarantee peace. We also need Europe in order to be able to assert ourselves in the structure of globally active interest groups - economic interests play a very large role. This must be emphasised to all those who criticise this institution on sometimes flimsy grounds and clearly want to weaken Europe. I increasingly have the impression that these critics are either just trying to make themselves important or are acting on behalf of others who are interested in weakening Europe."
Hermann Theophil Juncker openly admitted that depicting harmony and understanding in Europe as a painting, which he was ultimately encouraged to do, was a difficult subject. He referred to the line of inset stars next to the states, which bear the corresponding flags, and which lead to Ukraine, above which a large dove of peace hovers. The hope of the stars and the colour blue, which stands for harmony, conveyed the positive outlook, the artist summarised.
The musical accompaniment to the event by singer-songwriter Paulina Kruszynski, who lives in Saarbrücken and has Polish roots, was also in the context of understanding. "Unagitated, expressive and soulful", praised District Administrator Dr Gallo her contributions.