Germany Launches Year-Long Celebration Of U.S.-German Relations

WASHINGTON, Oct. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The German Federal Foreign Office (FFO), the Goethe Institut, and the Federation of German Industry (BDI), announce the launch of the Deutschlandjahr USA – the Year of Germany – in the United States.

The Deutschlandjahr has been celebrated in several countries since 2005, including Japan, China, Brazil, and Mexico. The initiative will bring together more than 200 partners to host more than 1,000 events across all 50 states under the theme of "Wunderbar Together." The year-long nationwide festival will celebrate the ties of friendship between Germany and the United States.

"The German-American friendship is built on a myriad of personal connections that span the Atlantic – centuries-old family ties and new friendships, twin towns and sister cities, and friendships between schools and universities," said German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. "We want to nurture and celebrate this friendship through Deutschlandjahr USA 2018/19. The aim is to create many opportunities to see old friends and make new ones, and to discuss the issues we care deeply about."

The campaign launches on October 3 with a week-long series of flagship events hosted in six locations.

• Washington, D.C.: On October 3, the Embassy of Germany will host an opening reception and garden party. On October 4, the Flying Steps, a four-time world champion German break dance troupe, will perform publicly on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, fusing both German breakdancing and classical music.
• Boston: On October 4, the Harvard Kennedy School will host the tenth annual German American Conference. The event will involve more than 50 speakers to foster dialogue regarding transatlantic leadership, future of work, and innovation. Among the speakers will be the Siemens Factor Division President, Google's Deputy Head of Global Trade Policy, and members of the German Parliament.
• Atlanta: On October 5, the German artist collective URBANSCREEN will produce a uniquely German-inspired street party, including live music performances, a local youth dance troupe, and a light show against the Bauhaus-inspired Atlanta Central Library. The street festival will also feature the "Wiesn in a Box" mobile beer garden and food truck.
• Los Angeles: On October 5, a two-night electronic music party featuring some of Germany and the United States' best musical talents at LA's renowned Echo+Echoplex and Globe Theatre. Seventeen German DJs – including Tensnake, DJ Koze, and Mouse on Mars – will perform against a lighting display created by German artists.
• Indianapolis: On October 6, a local Volksfest will feature live music, food and drink, a parade, and a vintage car rally the following day. This German Heritage Festival will bring an authentic German culture fair to the Midwest.
• Monument Valley: The following week, "One Inch Dreams," a group of German slackliners, will attempt to set the world record for distance walked between two hot air balloons—one featuring the German flag and the other the American flag—over the mountains of Monument Valley. Among the slackliners participating is Alexander Schulz, who currently holds world records for the longest and highest highlines.

"America is not only Germany's partner, but its closest partner outside of Europe," said Foreign Minister Heiko Maas. "Wunderbar Together offers us an opportunity to renew and preserve the historic bonds between our people. By celebrating German-American friendship and cultural exchange, we will facilitate increased and enhanced dialogue between Germans and Americans."

Later in the year, the initiative will include a pop-up tour in several cities highlighting Germany and the U.S. as innovative and creative partners in business and industry. This tour is supported by a group of corporate sponsors committed to celebrating transatlantic relations, including BASF, BMW Group, SAP, Schaeffler, and Siemens.

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