At a Distance, but Face to Face

With his audience seated on the stairs of the newly renovated Berlin State Library on Unter den Linden, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier addressed the worries and challenges facing students during the coronavirus pandemic: “We as a society have perhaps paid too little attention to what this sudden rent in time, this being on hold, means for young people who are full of energy and enthusiasm at the start of their lives – at the foot of the stairs, as it were,” he said. In the midst of the second lockdown and despite the social distancing rules and masks, the president found a way to open up a frank and lively discussion with students like Luca Lil Wirth, currently enrolled in the master’s program “German Literature with a focus on Modern Literature” at Freie Universität. Luca Lil Wirth concluded afterwards: “Mr. Steinmeier did not promise miracles – instead, he talked to us openly about what we can realistically expect in the coming months and years.”

Musicians are creative – and creativity is in demand in times like these. Due to the pandemic, orchestra rehearsals in the Audimax of Freie Universität weren’t possible last year. No problem – without further ado, the Collegium Musicum of Freie Universität and Technische Universität, under conductor Donka Miteva, decided to set up four tents for their rehearsals on an old tennis court next to Freie Universität’s Henry Ford Building. Since then, the musicians have been rehearsing outdoors. The tents guarantee that the orchestra never skips a beat, even when it rains, and that the instruments are protected. The umpire’s chairs, however, were left unused, since Donka Miteva – like all conductors – prefers to conduct while standing.

Even without his trademark bright orange sweater, he can’t hide among the cherry trees. Raúl Rojas is known all over town. Some even consider the computer science professor with a focus on neural networks to be Freie Universität’s very own Gyro Gearloose. Just like Donald Duck’s legendary scientist friend, Rojas is known for his sometimes offbeat creativity. Among others, he invented soccer-playing robots that won two world championships and the honorary title of “FU Fighters.” As early as 2006, he developed an almost self-driving car that even amazed then-Federal Research Minister Johanna Wanka. Rojas researched and taught at the “Dahlem Center for Machine Learning and Robotics” and has received numerous prizes, including the Professor of the Year award. Although now retired, the native Mexican, who has come to see Freie Universität as a home from home, is as present as ever. Like many university members, Rojas likes to spend time chatting to friends and colleagues on the square in front of the Holzlaube, especially during the cherry blossom season, which, during this special year, has also become a place to wind down and relax.

“COVID test center – test result within 15 minutes.” Since the end of April, this promise has been displayed above a special white tent at Habelschwerdter Allee 45 in Berlin-Dahlem. This is where students and employees of Freie Universität, but also members of the public, can be tested for the SARS-CoV-2 virus after booking an appointment in advance. The words are thus a symbol of hope for all members of Freie Universität. A symbol of hope for the revival of university life – and that the pandemic will one day end.