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Germany's President Opens 132nd Kiel Week, Emphasizing Unity
🇩🇪 Germany /Elections & Politics

Germany's President Opens 132nd Kiel Week, Emphasizing Unity

From Die Zeit · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Germany's President Frank-Walter Steinmeier officially opened the 132nd Kiel Week sailing regatta and folk festival.
  • Approximately three million guests are expected to attend the event, which runs until June 28.
  • Steinmeier emphasized the event's importance in fostering unity and bringing people from diverse backgrounds together.

Germany's President Frank-Walter Steinmeier officially launched the 132nd Kiel Week, a major sailing regatta and folk festival, under sunny skies and high temperatures. With temperatures around 30 degrees Celsius, Steinmeier sounded a ship's horn to signal the start, marking the beginning of an event expected to draw three million guests by its conclusion on June 28.

In these times, we need opportunities like Kiel Week, where people from very different backgrounds, with very different interests, with very different origins come together and feel a sense of community in this country

— Frank-Walter SteinmeierHighlighting the unifying role of Kiel Week.

Speaking from the city hall stage, Steinmeier highlighted the significance of Kiel Week, particularly in the current climate. "In these times, we need opportunities like Kiel Week, where people from very different backgrounds, with very different interests, with very different origins come together and feel a sense of community in this country," he stated. He added that such events are crucial for demonstrating national unity, especially in the face of those seeking to divide the country.

Steinmeier shared his personal connection to Kiel, having experienced the city in various capacities, including as a Baltic Sea port, a naval base, and a center for science. However, he emphasized that Kiel reveals its most beautiful side when boats and ships arrive in the harbor and when "millions of people from Kiel's surroundings, actually from all over the world - come here."

We must show what connects us - and Kiel Week makes a contribution to this.

— Frank-Walter SteinmeierEmphasizing the event's role in fostering national cohesion.

Following a tradition of prominent politicians inaugurating the world's largest sailing week, Steinmeier's opening remarks echoed those of former Chancellor Angela Merkel, who performed the same duty in 2006 and 2008. Kiel Week is recognized not only as a premier global sailing competition but also as a massive public festival. Last year, the event attracted approximately 3.3 million visitors.

But Kiel shows itself from its most beautiful side, of course, when the boats and ships arrive here in the harbor, when the people – millions of people from Kiel's surroundings, actually from all over the world – come here

— Frank-Walter SteinmeierDescribing the vibrant atmosphere of Kiel Week.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Die Zeit in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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