Commissioned by:
Shizuoka Gakuen High School Wind Orchestra; Hakodate Nishi High School Wind Orchestra
Hokkaido University of Education Hakodate Campus Wind Orchestra; Kawagoe High School Wind Orchestra
Program Notes:
In the summer of 1989, during the Cold War era in Europe, an event called the "Pan-European Picnic" occurred. This pastoral-sounding event later became shocking news that circled the world, and became something that influenced the next few years in Europe. This piece was composed based on the event of East German citizens seeking freedom, who gathered in the town of Sopron in Hungary (opening its gates to the West under the guise of the similarly-named peace gathering) and escaped to West Germany via Austria.
The last note, F, represents "Freiheit," which means "freedom" in German.
The music represents the following episodes.
1. News about East Germany's surveillance agency and Hungary's removal of the Iron Curtain.
In 1989, Germany was divided into two factions: the liberal West Germany and the communist East Germany. In the communist faction, citizens were placed under surveillance, and their freedom of movement and thought were severely restricted. Additionally, multiple countries had secret police to eliminate dissidents.
In East Germany, in areas near West Germany, citizens were able to receive West German television broadcasts and learn about Hungary's move towards openness. Under the leadership of young Prime Minister Nemeth, Hungary had removed the barbed wire at the border, despite being part of the communist bloc, and was searching for a path towards democracy. East German citizens who sought freedom learned that they could escape to the West if they went to Hungary.
2. The sound of secret police knocking, and fleeing to Hungary.
Citizens who showed rebellious attitudes towards the government were exposed to the fear of being detained by the Stasi (secret police). Escapees who sought freedom would ride in their beloved Trabant cars, bypass Czechoslovakia and head towards the town of Sopron on the border between Hungary and Austria. This was a daring escape reminiscent of a spy movie.
3. Anxiety of the Escapees.
After arriving in Sopron, escapees couldn't leave for Austria immediately. Hungary had an agreement with East Germany that prevented easy emigration of East German citizens outside of the communist bloc.
Feeling anxious and stuck, the escapees were secretly informed about the plan for the "Pan-European Picnic". This event, organized with the cooperation of the Hungarian government, was a peaceful gathering with the aim of providing cover for a plan to smuggle East German citizens into Austria. The border would be opened for invited Austrian citizens during the event, providing a chance for the East Germans to escape to Austria.
4. Marching Band at Pan-European Picnic
On the day of the Pan-European Picnic, a public peace gathering was held with speeches by the descendants of the Hapsburg family, marching band performances, and food and drink being provided to the participating citizens of Hungary and Austria.
5. Sprint to Freedom
Meanwhile, the escapees were transported by bus and dropped off near the border. They ran to the border checkpoint, which was ordered opened by the Hungarian government, and the checkpoint staff intentionally "ignored" the East German citizens.
6. Pan-European Picnic Success
The East German citizens who successfully crossed the border were taken in by Austria and immediately escaped to West Germany.
7. Epilogue (East Germany Afterwards)
At the end of the summer, the Hungarian government officially granted over 150,000 East German citizens permission to leave the country, after careful preparation. The chaotic East German government saw its leader, Erich Honecker, resign in the face of citizens' demands for freedom of movement. To appease East German citizens seeking to travel, the government decided to relax its travel restrictions. However, an announcement by spokesman Gunter Schabowski that travel permits would be issued "immediately, without delay" was mistakenly made, causing East Berlin citizens to rush to the border. Border checkpoints were gradually opened, and the famous Berlin Wall became meaningless. The following year, East Germany was reunified with West Germany, and Germany achieved reunification.
(Sohei Kano)
