This year, German Unity Day celebrations will not only be centred on the Römerberg and the new old town, but also on Braubachstraße. There, Ukrainian graffiti artist Balabaiev Viacheslav has designed several shop windows with political and historical messages.
The starting point for the campaign was the café "Das Herz von Frankfurt", which was joined by other businesses such as the restaurant Iimori, the Frankfurter Salon, Magus Antiques, Maison Slilou and the Philokalist Concept Store to participate. A work with the slogan "Woman, Life, Freedom", which is well known from the Iranian protests, was created in the concept store's shop window.
Remembering the value of freedom
The artist's works were presented on 1 October in the presence of the mayor and head of the diversity department,
Eskandari-Grünberg emphasised that these messages were in the spirit of 3 October: "Democracy is not a gift, but must be lived and defended again and again." Quotes from history and the present The art campaign's motto is "We protect our democracy – together for freedom, diversity and cohesion". Viacheslav's works draw on historical quotations as well as social slogans that stand for the struggle for freedom and democracy. The shop windows display Willy Brandt's exclamation "Berlin will live and the Wall will fall!" – a reference to German reunification. Other texts reflect international freedom movements and link German history with current political struggles. Part of the celebrations The project is embedded in the series of events "Jazz zum Dritten", organised by Tourismus+Congress GmbH in cooperation with the City Marketing Department and the Mayor's Office. This year, it also marks 35 years of German unity. The artist, who came to Frankfurt from Ukraine in 2022 and has long been established on the city's scene, sees his work as a voice from hip-hop culture: "It's important to make yourself heard." He previously designed the south stand of the FSV stadium and is now considered an integral part of Frankfurt's street art scene. The shop window paintings in Braubachstraße can be seen until Sunday, 5 October – as a powerful artistic contribution to a holiday that reminds us of the value of freedom and solidarity.
