Honorary- und General Consulates
“The Honorary and General Consulates are welcomed by Mayor Marcus König, Peter Ottmann, CEO
of NürnbergMesse, and Marco von Dobschütz-Dietl.
The guests include:
Ms. Gabor, Dagmar Wöhrle, Mr. Kreuzer, Thomas Pirner, Member of the Bavarian State Parliament and President
of the Chamber of Crafts in Nuremberg. From the City Council of Nuremberg, Cornelia Trinkl, the Sports and
Education Officer, was present. Also attending were the Regional President
Dr. Engelhardt-Blum and the President of the District Council of Middle Franconia, Peter Daniel Forster.”
Mayor Marcus König
“For us, it is a great honor to welcome you here in the Christmas city during these four weeks.
After the speech by Peter Ottmann, we will go together to the Christkindlesmarkt, and Mr. Marco von Dobschütz-Dietl
will give us a little behind-the-scenes tour.”
“We are the…”
„Weihnachtsstadt-Christmas city“
“And those who want to know what Christmas smells like, must come to Nuremberg.” “It’s often a mix of bratwurst,
mulled wine, roasted almonds, gingerbread, and you will immediately notice it when you close your eyes
here in Nuremberg. Down at the market square, you’ll hear the bustle, but the smell – it smells like Christmas.”
“We love and live traditions in this city.”
“I know there are an incredible number of Christmas markets in Germany, about 1,300, but there is only
one traditional one. We don’t follow the mainstream; we try to present beautiful products from the region,
and these are truly ancient crafts that we still showcase down here.”
“This makes this market something unique.”
“And the one person who, of course, must not be missing:”
“She is the ambassador of warmth, not only Dagmar Wöhrl, but also our Christkind.”
“We have a Christkind, and the Christkind is always delighted when the Christkindlesmarkt is opened.”
“When the prologue is spoken – it delights so many people, and that’s why so many people come to Nuremberg.”
“Munich has Wiesn, but Nuremberg has the
“Christkindlesmarkt.”
“Two million visitors come to the
‘Christmas City’
during these four weeks, 17% of them are international guests.” “People come from all over the world,
and that underscores that we have close connections. Nuremberg is an international city of diversity;
many Nurembergers have an immigration background, nearly 51.5%.”
“The representatives of the Consular Corps are ‘bridge builders.’ They build bridges, they are and remain
a representation, an embassy, a consulate, a consul general, and consuls.” “They represent their countries
and promote
understanding between nations, especially in today’s time when people are confronted
with crises and wars daily. See our consul general in Kharkiv, and many unfortunately experience this worldwide.”
“We are grateful to live in Europe, in Germany, where it is still safe.” “We strive for safety, promote
understanding between nations, and speak with one another.” “Solutions and compromises are sought everywhere,
and finding compromises in politics is not a bad thing but something good.”
“Thank you for coming to Nuremberg.” “Most of you have your consulates in Munich, but many also
have one in Nuremberg and represent the city or the country here.”
“We also have a consulate of Turkey with us, and I am very grateful for that, and we always like to invite.
I know you like to come:” “You’re not always recognized there, but here you are always warmly welcome.”
“We know what we have in you, we appreciate it, and that’s why let’s spend a nice evening together.”
“Some will then head to the Sternstunden Gala of Bavarian Television. For me, it’s always a fixed point,
where I say to myself: ‘Yes, now Christmas is slowly starting.'”
“The whole ‘staade Zeit’ (quiet time), which shouldn’t really be hectic, is probably quite hectic for everyone.
Buying the last gifts, agreeing on the food, and so on. There are many appointments, but there are a few fixed points.”
“This
‘Christmas Sternstunden-Gala’
at the Messe has a special charm.” “Today is kind of the ‘Pre-Opening Party of the Sternstunden.'”
Peter Ottmann
CEO of NürnbergMesse
welcomes the consuls,
“Mr. König is not only an excellent mayor but also the chairman of the supervisory board of NürnbergMesse.
In 17 days, the chairmanship will be handed over to the Minister of Finance.”
“This year, we are celebrating new heights, not only record revenues, but we are also celebrating 50 years
of NürnbergMesse.” “Medieval markets are the predecessors of our trade fair company.”
“We are called ‘Messe’ in Germany because we originated from the ‘Holy Mass.'” “People used to meet
in front of the church, trade goods, and exchange ideas – this is how Central Europe was formed.”
“First the commodity fairs, then the trade fairs, and today, what we know throughout the country.”
“Nuremberg has a great tradition of markets, and for 50 years, also as a subsidiary, NürnbergMesse –
the city of Nuremberg is one of the two main shareholders, and the Free State of Bavaria is the main shareholder.”
50 years
“We were founded as a caretaker organization to operate this trade fair site in Langwasser,
which some of you might know.”
“We quickly realized that you can go bankrupt doing just that; we needed our own program.”
“We have built our own program over 50 years.” “We were a startup, and after 50 years,
we are now one of the top 15 trade fair companies in the world.” “We became this way because you,
as the Diplomatic Corps, ensured that the world comes to Nuremberg. That’s why we wanted to take
this moment, here in festive Nuremberg, to say a heartfelt thank you.”
“We are one of the most international trade fair cities in the world.” “We are among the top 10 in Europe,
and globally, we rank among the top 15, and we achieved this because we regularly invite the world to Nuremberg.”
“I had the opportunity to sell pottery for two hours at ‘Noris Inklusion’ – another initiative of the city of Nuremberg –
at the Christkindlesmarkt.” “I really saw how Marcus König says: ‘What passes by at the Christkindlesmarkt…'”
“When you stand in the stall, you see it all with a completely different perspective.”
“I spoke with Americans, Spaniards, Italians, and I think I also spoke to some Nurembergers.”
“The Christkindlesmarkt is international, and you represent
that with your nations.”
“The most important international nation is Italy, which is strongly represented here today.”
“On both the exhibitor and visitor sides, the fastest-growing participation is from Turkey –
they are also represented here today.” “180 nations attend our trade fairs every year, and even more consuls
general, honorary consuls, and consuls are welcome. Be warmly welcome on behalf of all of us.”
“A simple thank you from us, because without the international presence in Nuremberg, we wouldn’t
have gone from a startup to one of the big players.” “And this is a journey we’ve made together with you over
the past 50 years.” “Pass it on, your companies are happy to be here because they also love Nuremberg.”
“There’s a saying for those who didn’t grow up in Nuremberg: ‘When you come to Nuremberg, you cry twice.
The first time when you have to come to Nuremberg, the second time when you have to leave Nuremberg.'”
“I don’t want to leave anymore because it’s a wonderful place to live, work, and do business.”
“And that’s what our exhibitors, visitors, and clients feel every year.”
“Heartfelt invitation to join the ‘Sternstunden’ this evening, because, as the Mayor Marcus König says:
‘It’s a wonderful meeting place.'” “I sometimes think to myself, I’m very proud to be the CEO of NürnbergMesse,
but tonight you will all see what really matters.”
“People who care for children in need, in Bavaria, in Germany, and around the world, and that is becoming
increasingly important.” “To be part of this in a broadcast is a truly special experience.”
“Enjoy the Christkindlesmarkt, enjoy the Sternstunden, and thank you for being here today. We warmly welcome you.”
Marco von Dobschütz-Dietl
“CEO and Management of the markets in Nuremberg”
“Now back to the year 2024”
