"You Matter Because You Are" at the Thomaskirche Freiburg: Exhibition about Cicely Saunders
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An exhibition on dignity, comfort, and the power of human companionship
The exhibition "You Matter Because You Are" is dedicated to the life and work of the British physician, nurse, and social worker Cicely Saunders (1918–2005), who is regarded as the founder of the modern hospice movement and a pioneer of palliative care. At the Thomaskirche Freiburg, a quiet yet highly relevant art experience unfolds, bridging biographical memory, ethical reflection, and cultural education. The exhibition is free of charge and accessible. ([veranstaltungen.freiburg.de](https://veranstaltungen.freiburg.de/freiburg/events/detail/du-zaehlst-weil-du-bist-die-palliative-care-pionierin-cicely-saunders?utm_source=openai))
Biography as a spiritual and human quest
At the center is Cicely Saunders, whose approach has fundamentally changed the perception of suffering, accompaniment, and the quality of life for severely ill people. The concept of Total Pain, which brings together physical, emotional, social, and spiritual dimensions of pain, continues to shape palliative medicine today. The exhibition makes this attitude tangible and connects it with clear, respectful communication. ([veranstaltungen.freiburg.de](https://veranstaltungen.freiburg.de/freiburg/events/detail/du-zaehlst-weil-du-bist-die-palliative-care-pionierin-cicely-saunders?utm_source=openai))
Spatial impact between church, silence, and concentrated contemplation
The Thomaskirche in Freiburg lends a special exhibition atmosphere to the display. The church space enhances the perception of the artworks and creates a place where questions about dignity, farewell, and human closeness do not remain abstract but can be experienced sensually and immediately. The exhibition can be visited individually or in groups; a guided tour with the exhibition curator Martina Holder-Franz will take place on September 24, 2026, at 11 a.m. ([veranstaltungen.freiburg.de](https://veranstaltungen.freiburg.de/freiburg/events/detail/du-zaehlst-weil-du-bist-die-palliative-care-pionierin-cicely-saunders?utm_source=openai))
Educational program and public context
The presentation is part of the public program for the 16th Palliative Congress in Freiburg and is supported by the Palliative Care Forum of the Archdiocese of Freiburg together with the Clinic for Palliative Medicine of the University Medical Center Freiburg. This embedding gives the exhibition professional authority and simultaneously makes it a place of cultural education that brings together medical, ethical, and spiritual perspectives. ([veranstaltungen.freiburg.de](https://veranstaltungen.freiburg.de/freiburg/events/detail/du-zaehlst-weil-du-bist-die-palliative-care-pionierin-cicely-saunders?utm_source=openai))
Practical information for the visit
The exhibition is open on September 22, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and admission is free. The Thomaskirche is accessible, and no registration is required. For transportation, tram line 3 towards Zähringen is recommended, stopping at Hornusstraße; from there, a short walk leads to Tullastraße 15. ([veranstaltungen.freiburg.de](https://veranstaltungen.freiburg.de/freiburg/events/detail/du-zaehlst-weil-du-bist-die-palliative-care-pionierin-cicely-saunders?utm_source=openai))
Conclusion: This exhibition opens an intense, quiet, yet deeply moving art experience. Anyone interested in exhibitions with social relevance, spiritual depth, and a humanistic perspective should definitely experience "You Matter Because You Are" live in Freiburg. ([veranstaltungen.freiburg.de](https://veranstaltungen.freiburg.de/freiburg/events/detail/du-zaehlst-weil-du-bist-die-palliative-care-pionierin-cicely-saunders?utm_source=openai))
Official channels of Cicely Saunders:
- Instagram: no official profile found
- Facebook: no official profile found
- YouTube: no official profile found
- Website: no official profile found
