Selected Events 2007

Double Header in Bautzen Exposes Eastern Saxon Town to "Real America"

Consul for Public Affairs Mark Wenig and his wife Kjarstin at Bautzen Youth Library

November 6, 2007. Leipzig Consulate reached out to nearly 100 high school students, teachers, and librarians in Bautzen, Saxony. A morning session at the youth library, located at the “Steinhaus” community center, consisted of an introduction to the diplomatic life by Consul for Public Affairs Mark Wenig, presented to 25 local elementary school students, followed by a bilingual reading of “Ronja Räubertocher” (The Robber’s Daughter) by the youth library director, accompanied by Wenig’s wife, Kjarstin. This book was chosen, as it was written by Swedish author Astrid Lindgren, who was born 100 years ago this year. This session also included some singing and a short viewing of the Swedish film version of “Ronja Räubertochter.” An afternoon session at the city library followed, and combined several facets of the Consulate’s resources, including an opening of the State Departments’s poster show, “From Sea to Shining Sea,” the donation of new books from the America@YourLibrary program, and presentations by both Consul Mark Wenig and U.S. intern Eric O’Leary on the presidential election process, followed by Q&A session and discussion. The event was also highlighted with a performance by a traditional blue-grass folk band, “Two Dollar Bash,” based in Berlin.