Activities

On 19 May, the grand finale of EuropaScène took place at the Opéra national du Rhin in Strasbourg – a trinational project in the Upper Rhine region that brings together trainees from France, Germany and Switzerland through creative stage and theatre formats, and was performed before a sold-out auditorium. The project focuses on European exchange, intercultural cooperation and career orientation for young people.

This year’s edition gained special significance through the first-time patronage of Honorary Consul Michael Mack. He supported the project not only symbolically, but also made possible the prize for the winning team in the form of admission tickets to Europa-Park. In a personal video message, he acknowledged the commitment of the young people and particularly emphasized the importance of European encounters in the Upper Rhine border region.

Around 70 trainees from schools and educational institutions in the three countries jointly created the highlight of this year’s edition. The event impressively demonstrated the valuable contribution that cross-border initiatives make to European exchange and cooperation among young people in the Upper Rhine region.

For further information: Europascène

Every year, the Discovery Day encourages companies and institutions to support the mobility of young people in Germany and France. Once again this year, around 80 students from two French schools – Lycée Marcel Rudloff and Lycée Marguerite Yourcenar – were invited at the initiative of Honorary Consul Michael Mack to learn more about the different fields of work and career opportunities within the Europa-Park Resort.

Thanks to this initiative, the students were once again given valuable insights into Franco-German cooperation and its importance for education and professional development. They gained a comprehensive overview of the wide range of professions represented at Europa-Park while also discovering the opportunities that cross-border mobility can offer for their future careers.

The meeting took place at the 4-star superior themed hotel “Santa Isabel”, where presentations and discussions alternated with the students and their teachers. Afterwards, the participants took part in guided tours providing practical insights, particularly into the fields of hospitality and electrical engineering.

The Discovery Day on May 6, 2026 once again provided a valuable opportunity for exchange, career orientation and intercultural encounters, concluding with a visit to Europa-Park for all participants.

For further information:

Journée Découverte | FGYO

On Friday, April 17, the Deutsch-Französische Gesellschaft Baden-Baden (Franco-German Society of Baden-Baden) celebrated its 70th anniversary at LA8 in a festive setting.

Numerous personalities committed to the Franco-German cooperation attended the event, including Brigitte Klinkert, Member of the French National Assembly, Gaël de Maisonneuve, Consul General of the French Republic for Baden-Württemberg, as well as Dr. Stefan Seidendorf, Director of the Franco-German Institute in Ludwigsburg.

In their speeches, the speakers emphasized the central importance of Franco-German relations, which, despite current challenges, continue to serve as a driving force for European integration and as a foundation for dialogue between the two countries.

During the ceremony, the Consul General, Gaël de Maisonneuve, awarded the Médaille du Traité de l’Élysée to Rudi Leonhardt, President of the Deutsch-Französische Gesellschaft Baden-Baden, and to Claire Goldammer, the association’s French Vice President, in recognition of their long-standing commitment to Franco-German friendship.

Michael Mack, Honorary Consul and supporting member of the Deutsch-Französische Gesellschaft Baden-Baden, supported the event and contributed to its convivial and symbolic atmosphere.

For further information: Startseite – Deutsch-Französische Gesellschaft Baden-Baden

At the invitation of Honorary Consul Michael Mack, around 40 German and French students from the Collège de Coutances (Normandy) and the Gymnasium Ettenheim, accompanied by their teachers, met this year for their Franco-German student exchange at Europa-Park.

The exchange, supported by the DFJW (Franco-German Youth Office), provides young people with valuable international experience and strengthens their intercultural and language skills.

As part of a pedagogical project within the Erasmus+ program, students worked in Franco-German tandems and conducted short surveys with visitors at the park. The focus was on European identity and what unites the people of Europe.

Honorary Consul Michael Mack was delighted to provide the students with a unique setting for exchange and encounter, thereby helping to make Franco-German friendship and Europe’s cultural diversity tangible.

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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