Stalag VIIA
Outside the Polish town of Zgorzelec is the site of the German prisoner of war camp Stalag VIIA where with three fellow prisoners Messiaen premiered his Quartet for the End of Time on 15 January 1941. The camp was used by the Polish army until the 1970s. The site of the Theatre Barracks where the quartet was premiered is now marked with a sculpture. In 2015 the Meetingpoint Music Messiaen was opened where the Quartet is performed every 15 January. ‘I see it as an alternative New Year’s concert,’ says the founder Frank Seibel, ‘a 45-minute meditative moment to consider activities in the new year.’