Quotes from Johannes Rau

We must prepare the ground for creativity. And if this also gives rise later to success in the economic sense, success in terms of Euros and Cents, this will by no means reduce my joy.

Patriotism can flourish only where racism and nationalism are given no quarter. We should never mistake patriotism for nationalism. A patriot is one who loves his homeland. A nationalist is one who scorns the homelands of others.

A patriot is one who loves his homeland. A nationalist is one who scorns the homelands of others.

I understand the worries of many - not only here in this auditorium -, and some have already written to me to say that technical progress has lowered the threshold that stops people from helping themselves to protected works without the slightest embarrassment.

But I think that sensitivity is also a good counsellor when it comes to enforcing one's interests.

A hundred years ago, of course, the question that the German Composers' Co-operative asked itself sounded a lot more fundamental: How do you create a fair share for those who ensure that works can actually be performed at all?

Certainly the interest in asserting copyright is a justified one.

Education is more than Pisa. Particularly musical education. We also need education and training for more than reasons of usefulness and marketability.