A Diplomat's Life

Douglas and I are into our last year in Munich. This has been his required consular tour during which he spends his mornings interviewing people for visas to go to the United States. His afternoons are spent following up on some of these cases. Our next post will likely be in Washington D.C.

Occasionally Douglas is called upon to serve in a representational capacity as he was last weekend. We were  privileged to accompany the Consul General,Bill Moeller to the laying of a wreath at the Munich War Memorial. 

The morning began with indoor speeches bringing attention to all those who have died in wars and other violence from World War I to present day Syria. Interspersed between speeches were performances by a chorus with an orchestra. The ceremony then progressed outside to the memorial where  a few of us were allowed to go down next to the memorial while the rest of the audience watched from above. A military band marched into position to a cadence. This was juxtaposed with the ringing of Sunday morning church bells giving the event more depth and meaning. Hanging low in the sky were small, dark gray clouds giving me the impression of cannon smoke. Wind whipped the flags representing various parts of Germany so that their fabric rustling could be heard and their supports clanging on the flagpoles called attention to some of the affected areas of the wars. That plus leaves swirling down from surrounding trees set a perfect backdrop to honor those fallen in war and violence. As those trees continue to flourish after losing their leaves, so do countries continue strongly after losing so many in war.

This is a scene from the memorial Sunday morning. It was slightly awkward taking pictures so we (Douglas) only got two. We didn't realize the man checking his phone. Too bad he couldn't pay attention for the half hour or so he was there.

This is the wreath representing the United States that we laid next to the tomb. To put it in perspective, this enclosed/covered tomb is located to the right of the first picture.

Later that evening we attended a concert by the Munich Symphony Orchestra sponsored by the local law firm of Bub, Gauweiler & Partner at the Cuvilliés-Theater at the Residenz (former royal residence, now museum and concert hall). The first half of the concert was music by Richard Strauss; the second half by Sergej Rachmaninow. A violin concerto (Opus 8 in D minor) by Strauss was played featuring Ingolf Turban on violin. Tenor Francisco Araiza sang Morgen, Opus 27 #4, Allerseelen, Opus 10 #8 and Zueignung, Opus 10 #1 also by Strauss. Soprano Marija Vidovic sang three songs by Rachmaninow - Vocalise, Opus 34 #14, Wesennye wody, Opus 14 #11 and Sdjes choroscho, Opus 21 #7. The concert closed with Aglaya Sintschenko playing piano concerto Opus 18 #2 in C minor. The talent was superb. The theater, while not very large, was elaborate. If you want to see a picture, look up “cuvillies theater Munchen”.