Die Weisse Rose

In thinking about roses, in looking through catalogues and botanical histories for intriguing names, I was reminded of the many cultures and eras where the rose has taken a special place. As a symbol of love, passion, beauty, grace, joy and nobility that is forever embedded in poem, story and song, and featured in art, in perfume and in design, it knows few rivals. This floral élan is so often reflected in the names that people give to the ever evolving plant and blossoms that are the rose. But as the old saying goes,  “Every rose has its thorn…”

Or perhaps in this case, its bittersweet side. 

As a form of resistance during the Second World War, young Germans began publishing leaflets, alerting their fellow citizens that not all was well in the Reich and that terrible acts were begin committed. To publish such material was considered subversive, treasonous and punishable by death. When they were caught, many were executed. Their last leaflet was smuggled out of the country into the hands of the Allies who edited it and airdropped millions of copies over Germany. This group of students and intellectuals was known as the White Rose – die Weisse Rose….

These days also I’m contemplating the limited freedom of speech and expression that many friends, artists, writers and journalists are experiencing around the world right now and the creative ways they are finding to make their position known.