In a heated exchange, a character questions the potential similarities between two historical figures, Beethoven and Stalin. Paul asserts that Europe has a deep, inseparable connection between war and culture, suggesting that both elements define the continent's identity, intertwining its beauty and suffering. He emphasizes that if one aspect diminishes, the other will inevitably vanish as well.

Paul reflects on the ongoing peace in Europe over the past fifty years, creating a distance from the tumultuous past, which he links to figures like Picasso. This suggests a nuanced consideration of how the arts reflect and respond to historical events, and how culture can thrive even in a period of absence from war, highlighting the complexities of European identity.