We Got It,

the award for the most active German-American city partnership in 2019.

In the framework of its New Year's reception, the Steuben-Schurz-Society, the oldest German-American friendship organization in Germany, handed over the certificate in Frankfurt on January 28, 2020.

The award was conferred upon the Freiburg-Madison-Gesellschaft to recognize the German-American city partnership Freiburg im Breisgau/Madison, WI, that has existed since 1988, with intensive personal and diversified official networking.

Here comes a photo chronology:

Final touches on the president's speech

Cool and relaxed at the reception.

Our ladies and president at the table of honor

Welcoming address by SSG's President, Dr. Johannes Beerman

Lieutenant Colonel Martin Lammert about a Bundeswehr
partly ready for action but facing global challenges and requirements.

A great moment.
SSG's Vice President Claudia Pörings awards Toni Schlegel the certificate.

Showing the document to an applauding crowd.

Toni's speech of thanks.

In his speech, President Toni Schlegel stressed that city partnerships brave tensions between governments and are a "lived" international understanding. Freiburg has successful partnerships with Isfahan in Iran, Tel Aviv in Israel, and Madison in the US.

During the biennial partnership market of Freiburg's 12 (!) sister cities in the heart of town, the booths of those unique partnerships are placed close to each other, allowing for vivid conversations among the participating visitors.

The final group photo

We wound up the historic evening at the hotel bar.
A selfie with the ceiling mirror. 

*