This highest French award, presented personally by the French President, honours the commitment of Michael Mack and his father Roland to Franco-German friendship and their visionary family commitment that led to the creation of Europa-Park.

Emmanuel Macron described the Mack family as “great friends of France”, highlighting the remarkable success of their company over the decades, which has set itself the goal of promoting cohesion between the two nations. Under the leadership of Roland and Michael Mack, Europa-Park, one of the best theme parks in the world, has gradually become a truly Franco-German company. Almost a quarter of the park’s 5,250 employees are French and more than 1.4 million French people visited the park in 2024. In total, Europa-Park has welcomed around 40 million French visitors in its 50-year history.

With the opening of MACK One France in 2022 in the south of the Eurometropolis of Strasbourg, Michael Mack has created an innovation centre that brings together the marketing, communication and sales activities of the Mack Group in the French market and focuses on the development of creative solutions in innovative technology.

Roland and Michael Mack have also initiated numerous cultural and sporting events and encounters with their neighbouring country. The annual Euro-Musique Festival, for example, creates and maintains musical friendships on both sides of the border, while the Alsace Day celebrates the strong ties with the neighbouring region.

In Hartmannswiller, on the Alsace Wine Route, the Mack family has also taken over a traditional vineyard and recently opened the restaurant ‘Amitié – La Cuisine du Château’, a clear symbol of Franco-German friendship.

Last but not least, the Mack family’s social commitment through their activities in favour of disadvantaged and disabled people is also worth mentioning: In recent years, more than a million French people have been able to visit Europa-Park free of charge.

On receiving this highest honour, the Honorary Consul said: “Franco-German friendship is a pillar of stability and trust. Europe needs a clear vision for the future, and our border region offers many opportunities for this. This is why my appointment as a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour fills me with pride and encourages me to intensify our efforts to promote cross-border cooperation”.

Further information:
VEEJOY – Höchste französische Auszeichnung für Roland und Michael Mack

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The Franco-German educational institutions in Freiburg im Breisgau aim to educate bilingual children in such a way that they will be able to study at French or German universities, for example. The Franco-German nursery and crèche looks after almost 100 children aged between one and six who speak both French and German.

Supported by the parents’ association Ecole 92. e.V., the school’s aim is to promote bilingualism and an educational system based on two cultures, French and German. From an early age, the children have the privilege of living in a culturally and linguistically diverse community that is shaped by teaching activities in both languages.

With their support, the Honorary Consul wished to encourage the actions and projects promoted by this first link in the Franco-German education chain in Freiburg im Breisgau.

Further information:
https://ecole92.net

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The ceremony was presided over by General Philippe Le Carff, commander of the 7th Armoured Brigade, and attended by Thierry Queffélec, prefect of the Haut-Rhin department, Thomas Kern, German consul general in Strasbourg, Raphaël Schellenberger, member of the 4th district of the Haut-Rhin, and numerous guests of honour from politics, civil society and the military.

The commemoration was opened by Jean Klinkert, President of the Comité du Mémorial National du Hartmannswillerkopf (CMNHWK).

Michael Mack was able to pay tribute to those who fought in the First World War by laying a wreath at the Altar of the Fatherland.

Further information:
https://www.memorial-hwk.eu/

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Created in 2001, the European Year of Languages, the Prix Bartholdi aims to promote cross-border courses and encourage students to take part in placements abroad. It is awarded each year in one of the university towns of the French-German-Swiss Upper Rhine.

In 2024, four prizes were awarded in this competition: The prize for the best work placement report, the video prize, the Bartholdi scholarship and the prize of honour.

The prize of honour was awarded to Mr Hans Martin Tschudi.

Further information:
https://www.prixbartholdi.com/

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The second ‘RheinForum 182’ brought together German and French business leaders from the Rhine region to discuss their concerns and ideas. In his capacity as Honorary Consul, Michael Mack initiated this business event to promote cross-border projects.

In his welcome address, Michael Mack said: “Especially in these politically turbulent times, the Franco-German friendship is a foundation of stability and trust. Europe needs a clear vision for the future, and our border region offers many opportunities. It is important for me to discuss these opportunities in a personal exchange with the Economic Forum and to develop new ideas. We must once again put concrete Franco-German projects into practice”.

The initiative is supported by the Alsatian business club Timken, chaired by Frédéric Créplet, and the economic development agency ADIRA, chaired by Monique Jung. The event was attended by numerous personalities, including Gaël de Maisonneuve, Consul General of France in Stuttgart, Franck Leroy, President of the Grand Est Region, Thomas Kern, Consul General of Germany in Strasbourg, Jean-Luc Heimburger, President of the Alsace Eurométropole Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Michel Hau, Professor Emeritus at the University of Strasbourg.

The number 182 symbolises the 182 kilometres of the Rhine between France and Germany, an extension that underlines the need for continued close cooperation and dialogue in order to tackle economic and social challenges together on both sides of the Rhine.

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The Miss France beauty pageant has become a symbol of French popular culture, celebrating the coronation of a young woman who each year becomes an ambassador of French beauty and culture.

At a ceremony held at the Royal Palace of Kirrwiller, Alsace chose its representative to represent the region at the Miss France contest. MACK One France, led by CEO Michael Mack, was one of the 11 members of the jury who witnessed the crowning of Isabella Hebert in front of more than 2,000 spectators.

The Honorary Consul was delighted by the presence of the twelve candidates at this election, which took place during the traditional Alsace Day at Europa-Park. A wonderful sign of Franco-German friendship!

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On Sunday 15.09.2024, over one hundred guests of Honorary Consul Michael Mack and his family were again invited to the 12th Alsace Day. At this particular event, visitors can experience different forms of entertainment and a colourful line-up entirely in the style of the neighbouring border region.

The Honorary Consul stressed: ‘Alsace has always held a special place within Europa-Park. We are very happy to celebrate it this year together as well’. Consul General of France in Stuttgart, Gaël de Maisonneuve himself emphasised: ‘The Mack family has achieved an absolutely novel dynamic in Franco-German collaboration, experienced in day-to-day life, and this day illustrates their success perfectly’. Brigitte Klinkert, MP for Haut-Rhin and former Minister, explained: ‘Without Alsace, Europa-Park wouldn’t be the same and, without Europa-Park, the people of today’s Alsace mightn’t be the same either! It is our fortune we have this park right on the other side of the Rhine ─ an economic engine, but also a pride of the Rhine!’

This event was topped off with the inauguration of the ‘Wolfgang Schäuble Bridge’ at the heart of the France themed area. This bridge commemorates the late German statesman, who was a passionate advocate of Franco-German friendship.

Afterwards, Europa-Park welcomed Miss Alsace 2023, Adéline Wetter. Visitors could also get to know the candidates for the selection of Miss Alsace in 2024. In all, over 400 members of folklore groups and orchestras from Upper and Lower Alsace presented the diverse culture of their region on Alsace Day this year. Alsace Day this year delighted guests once again and remains in the memory with Alsace tradition, traditional costumes and music.

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Europa-Park and the French football club Racing Strasbourg (Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace – RCSA) have entered into a partnership as emblematic players in their respective regions. This is a sign of their strong ties with both countries.

The relationship between the football club and Europa-Park, which has existed for half a decade, has been continuously developed. Thanks to their popularity, hospitality and events, numerous initiatives have been developed that are aimed at young people and benefit associations with a social and community focus.

Michael Mack, Honorary Consul of France, is delighted with this partnership. It is based on shared values in terms of entertainment and intergenerational cooperation and serves to promote Franco-German friendship.

This is yet another opportunity to contribute to the great attractiveness of the cross-border region!

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At the initiative of Gaël de Maisonneuve, French Consul General in Stuttgart, several prominents took the floor at this celebration, including Martin W.W. Horn, Lord Mayor of the City of Freiburg im Breisgau; Michèle Lutz, Lady Mayoress of the City of Mulhouse; Brigitte Klinkert, MP for Haut-Rhin; and Dr Patrick Rapp, Secretary of State in the Ministry of Economic Affairs of Baden-Württemberg.

In his speech, Michael Mack recalled the close relationship that Europa-Park ─ and the Mack family in particular ─ has had with Alsace for several generations. He thereafter presented ongoing projects in France, related to the division of the MACK One France company in Plobsheim and at Ollwiller Castle. He also referred to the thousand employees from Alsace contributing to this great success day by day.

The consular office, with its base at the Freiburg French Cultural Centre (CCFF), receives requests from several thousand French people living in the region of Freiburg and Tübingen. When the last elections in France were held, a new polling station was also set up in Offenburg to meet the demands of French citizens residing in Ortenau. The honorary consul, who is involved in multiple projects promoting exchange between either side of the Rhine, together with other powers that be in cross-border cooperation, welcomed all kinds of activity with the goal of supporting and strengthening Franco-German friendship.

The French national anthem, led by the Franco-German choir from Freiburg im Breisgau, let the 250 assembled to sing in unison and the performance of the Franco-German high school big band at Freiburg im Breisgau was an outstanding confirmation of the Franco-German youth in action.

Further information:
https://tinyurl.com/hex4k5jx

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After Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, announced the dissolution of the National Assembly on the evening of the European election, early parliamentary elections were called for 30. June and 7. July 2024.

The French honorary consulate in Freiburg-Tübingen actively participated in carrying the election out and organising it for French people resident in Germany, who were called upon to vote for their MP in the 7th constituency for the French overseas, encompassing 16 countries in Central Europe and the Balkans, Germany being the most populous of these.

French people from Ortenau could again honour their duty as citizens at a polling station in Offenburg, whilst also having the opportunity to place their vote online.

At the end of both rounds of voting, Mr Frédéric Petit was returned to office.

Further information:
https://www.resultats-elections.interieur.gouv.fr/legislatives2024/ensemble_geographique/ZZ/ZZ07/index.html

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