"A hundred years ago, when Richard Strauss, who has already been quoted and already been heard today, and other creative people, laid the foundation stone for the joint assertion of their rights and interests, they had pioneering work ahead of them in Germany"

This quote by Johannes Rau talks to the progress made by innovative individuals in Germany a hundred years back. He specifically discusses Richard Strauss, who had actually currently been quoted and heard that day, as a leader in the effort to assert the rights and interests of creative people. This was a pioneering effort, as the creative people of the time had to fight for their rights and interests in a society that did not constantly acknowledge them. The work of Strauss and others laid the structure for the acknowledgment of creative people in Germany, and their efforts have actually been remembered and well known since. This quote acts as a reminder of the value of standing up for what is right and fighting for the recognition of innovative individuals in society.