Selected Events 2009

Celebrating American Independence in Erfurt

Erfurt Lord Mayor, the Thuringia Minister President the Consul Genral  (left) and tenor Stanley Jackson (right) during the ceremony

July 1, 2009. About 300 guests gathered at the historic Petersberg citadel in Erfurt, capital of Thuringia, for the Consulate's Independence Day celebration. At the initiative of Consul General Katherine Brucker, Leipzig has returned to the old practice of holding the July 4th celebration in the three states comprising the Consulate's district Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia. In her remarks, Consul General Brucker highlighted the common values both nations share by drawing parallels between the U.S. Declaration of Independence with the German Basic Law. She also pointed out that the close ties between the U.S. and Thuringia are a testament to the "friendship and trust between Germany and the U.S." that President Obama spoke of during Chancellor Merkel's recent visit to Washington. Erfurt Lord Mayor Andreas Bausewein stressed the strong ties between Erfurt and the U.S., citing the lively sister city program between Erfurt and Shawnee (KS). Minister President of Thuringia Dieter Althaus stressed the important economic relations between the U.S. and the state of Thuringia, as well as the U.S. presence throughout the state, which was most recently demonstrated by the Consulate's three-day participation at the Thuringia state fair. Political, business and academic community representatives were among the guests, as well as the president and vice presidents of the Thuringia State Parliament, two state ministers and the head of the public broadcasting in the region.