The Federal President on German history and the most important issues of our time. Since Joachim Gauck entered public office in 1990, he has spoken on significant topics and occasions. People listen to him because he is credible and approachable. What he says is backed by his biography. This book gathers the most important speeches from the last 25 years on his life themes of freedom, responsibility, and self-empowerment: insightful, sensitive, and also passionate texts about everything that matters to Gauck. "Citizen meets citizen," Joachim Gauck describes his understanding of the public appearances he undertakes as Federal President. His aim is not to pander to the public but to take a clear stance on the important questions that affect our lives and society. He is cautious of the apparent.