Whenever I asked about Willy Brandt in Berlin, I was met with surprise, a lack of relevant knowledge, sometimes only someone hinted that he might be connected to politics, but without conviction. That is why I decided to briefly present the figure of one of the most important statesmen of the 20th century, whose policy of reconciliation, peace, freedom and social liberty has an impact not only on Germany, but above all on the whole of Europe and the world.

Willy Brandt was born in Lübeck, Germany, on December 18, 1913. He came from a working-class family and was deeply in love with his mother, Martha Frahm. From a young age, he was involved in the social democratic movement, which led him to become leader of the German Social Democratic Party of Germany and later chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany. In 1971, he received the Nobel Peace Prize, but I want to make it clear that what matters most to me is his political mission, his commitment, and the work he did and loved. I'll emphasize this in the indicated post because, as I get older, I'm beginning to fully share the view of another remarkable man, Richard Feynman, who repeatedly stated that he has very little respect for trophies and other statuettes.

Willy Brandt 'lived and breathed politics'. With great commitment and dedication, he sought to strengthen ties between West and East Germany and improve relations with Poland and other Eastern European countries, realizing that in politics, change is dictated not only by the map but also by the compass. Willy Brandt's democracy, unlike its modern form, was not a matter of purpose but of morality. He advocated for a reasonable division of tasks between America and Europe, and for an Atlantic community based on an active, peaceful, and democratic policy of coexistence. He had a good partner in this journey – President John F. Kennedy. Together, they agreed perfectly that freedom is strong and that real, political, and ideological walls should be broken down without provoking additional conflicts. At this point, I would like to quote Brandt's statement: „I don't believe in cheap sayings that no one is irreplaceable. In politics, as in private life, one person is more lacking than another”.

In late 1989, Brandt was one of the first leaders on the left in German politics to publicly favour reunification of the two halves of Germany. He died a few years later in Unkel.

There are many emotions in this post. However, without great emotions there is no great politics.