Music does not divide, music unites – it can overwhelm, give hope or help in times of pain. The sounds of the French composer Olivier Messiaen clearly make these powers perceptible. The musician completed his “Quartet for the End of Time” in the prisoner-of-war camp Stalag VIII A Görlitz, at present-day located in Zgorzelec, where the piece was first performed on 15 January 1941. To commemorate this day, the Messiaen Days have been held at the historic site for several years: a festival for music, history and art all in one.
