Activities

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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Nearly one hundred French and German school pupils came together at Europa-Park as part of two projects carried out in cooperation with the Académie de Strasbourg.

The ‘Fairy Tale Podcast’ project allowed the young people of the Collège in Kochersberg and the Stromberg Gymnasium secondary school in Vaihingen an der Enz to put forward an original and creative re-interpretation of fairy tales. Through the setting of new stories to music and the depiction of fantasy characters, not only could they further develop their digital and technical competencies, but also their independence, their capacity to cooperate and their mastery of their respective neighbours’ language.

The ‘Fairy Tale Songs’ project offered two classes from the Collège of Truchtersheim and the Falkenhausenschule in Kehl the opportunity to broaden their concepts of artistic and cultural education by acquiring a new repertoire of children’s songs in German and French, which the Alsace composer Nicolas Fischer had composed.

During the presentation of both these products at Europa-Park, the pupils could again sing the anthem of cross-border collaboration ‘Es lebe l’amitié, vive la Freundschaft’ (both meaning ‘Long live friendship’)

The ‘Grimm Magical Forest’ was then the setting of linguistic developments in French and German. Thanks to the educational work of the Académie de Strasbourg, the resulting podcast was completed there. The youngest participants could, in turn, listen to a fairy tale reading by Miriam Mack, chair of the European Fairy Tale Centre ‘Märchenland’.

Michael Mack emphasised the distinctiveness of this cross-border encounter, a true-to-life and joyful proof of European ambition.

Further information:
ORGA journée transfrontalière des contes 2024 – Digipad by La Digitale

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To accommodate French citizens living in Ortenau, the French Consulate General in Stuttgart has taken the initiative and set up a fifth polling station in Offenburg.

The French Honorary Consulate in Freiburg-Tübingen has been actively involved in organising and implementing the election. The polling station, located on the premises of Offenburg’s adult educational institution (VHS), was one of five venues in Baden-Wurttemburg (alongside Stuttgart, Karlsruhe, Freiburg im Breisgau and Tubingen) to be integrated into the Stuttgart consular district.

Further information:
https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/services-aux-francais/voter-a-l-etranger/resultats-des-elections/article/elections-europeennes-2024-resultats

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Every year, the discovery day invites businesses and institutions to get involved in the mobility between France and Germany of young people. Several secondary school classes for the hotel and restaurant industry in Guebwiller and Gérardmer were invited by the Honorary Consul to learn about the industry and professional opportunities in this area in the middle of Europa-Park.

School pupils studying for the French vocational qualification for the hotel industry and gastronomy could visualise the variety and scope of professions with representation at the Europa-Park resort.

The 4* theme hotels ‘Kronasar ─ The Museum Hotel’ and ‘Bell Rock’ were chosen as the venues for these encounters. A cycle of presentations, discussions between students and their teachers and, finally, a professional tour of the facilities took place there.

The Honorary Consul rejoiced in a day many new things could be learnt in. The discovery day ended with an afternoon at the theme park free of charge.

Further information:
https://www.ofaj.org/programmes-formations/journee-decouverte#1

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Being the only cross-border university prize in the Upper Rhine, the Prix Bartholdi is intended to deepen intercultural experiences of young people from this region between France, Germany and Switzerland and develop the internationalisation of university education in this three-nation metropolitan area.

In 2023, 4 prizes were awarded in this competition: the Prize for Best Work Experience Report, the Video Prize, the Bartholdi Stipend and the Embassy Prize

The honorary prize was awarded to EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg, represented by Mr Luc Gaillet.

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

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