The City's New Year's Reception

Red Baron was invited to the City of Freiburg's New Year's reception again for the first time in a long time. As on his last attendance, the event took place in the concert hall, where 1,000 guests walked down a red carpet.

This year's reception was enlivened by the Freiburg Jazz Choir, the Matrix Showteam, and the German-French hip-hop band Zweierpasch.

At the beginning of his speech, Lordmayor Martin Horn tried to convince the audience that his New Year's address was not a campaign speech in view of the upcoming mayoral election: "This is the city's New Year's reception. So sit back and relax." 

 We, the citizens, will indeed be electing a mayor on April 26. I still remember well when, in 2018, Martin achieved an astonishing victory over the incumbent mayor Dieter Salomon.

Following the election, the city council will have to appoint two new deputy mayors, as First and Deputy Mayor Ulrich von Kirchbach is retiring after 24 years in office, and Finance and Sports Deputy Mayor Stefan Breiter is not running for another term for personal and family reasons. Both will be stepping down on March 31.

The Freiburg Jazz Choir on stage

In his speech, Martin Horn first emphasized a special feature of Freiburg: "Here, people work for each other and with each other." That is why his motto for 2026 is "Cohesion and Confidence."

He contrasted his motto with the divisive and inflammatory rhetoric of others. Unfortunately, far too many people allow themselves to be incited by right-wing extremists and anti-democratic forces when they shout, "Deport them all, remigration." This is not only inhumane but also stupid.

Without foreign skilled workers, how are we supposed to meet the growing labor demand, for example, in the care sector for our elderly citizens? We should all talk about migration in a positive, appreciative way.

 
Many people only see the foreignness in others. Holocaust survivor Margot Friedländer warned: "The hatred that was stirred up back then has now become loud again. Some people do not recognize other people as human beings. And yet we are all the same. There is no Christian, Muslim, or Jewish blood. There is only human blood. And this is what I say to you: 'Don't look at what divides you. Look at what unites you.'"

A speech instead of a concert.
Red Baron sits somewhere on the right-hand side (©BZ)

Martin Horn continued: "Over the past year, I have met many people in our city who care for others: for the elderly or sick, for children and young people who have a harder time than others, for the homeless, and for so many more. They all make Freiburg human. This is extremely important – especially in times when we are repeatedly witnessing attacks on our democracy and society. But even in times like these, we should never forget that those of us who value democracy outnumber those who want to destroy it. The agitators and divisive forces may sometimes be louder, but when we stick together, we are much stronger."

 
Sustained applause

First and Deputy Mayor Ulrich von Kirchbach is visibly moved (©BZ)

Then the mayor bid farewell to his deputy mayors. "Dear Ulrich, it is difficult for all of us to let you go." Despite his cancer, the first deputy mayor continued to perform his duties conscientiously – with passion and total commitment. The 1,000 guests in the hall rose to give him a standing ovation.

Martin Horn presented the outgoing First Mayor with an original beavertail tile from the roof of Freiburg's long-term major project, the Augustiner Museum, which Ulrich von Kirchbach will open on February 27 as his last official act.

Finance and Sports Mayor Stefan Breiter received a drill core as a gift, which was drilled during the preliminary work for the second construction phase of Freiburg's new rescue center. The topping-out ceremony was celebrated on January 8. Despite the expenses for the 35 million euro project, Freiburg is in good financial shape. "Thank you, Stefan, for eight challenging years in times that were not always easy," added the mayor.

Impressive interlude by the Matrix Showteam

Towards the end of the official event, Freiburg awarded the Golden City Seal to two ladies who had rendered outstanding services to the community.

Annette Theobald (second from the left) is one of the founders of the Freiburger Tafel (Food Bank). For 14 years, she was the chairwoman of the Tafelverein, which has around 160 employees and is financed exclusively through donations, membership fees, and its own proceeds.

Charlotte Niemeyer (second from the right), medical director of the Clinic for Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, received the award as a strong advocate for the interests of children and adolescents. She was the driving force behind the "Initiative for Our Children's and Youth Clinic Freiburg." After the opening of the new building, Niemeyer and the initiative have a new goal: they are vehemently advocating for the construction of new day clinics in child psychiatry.

The German-French hip-hop band Zweierpasch closed the official part 

At the following reception, old friends met, stood or sat together over a glass of wine or water, and enjoyed the finger foods on offer.

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