Toespraak door Jan van Zanen ter ere van de dag van de Duitse eenheid, 2 oktober 2025

 

Sehr geehrter Herr Botschafter Meyer-Landrut,

sehr geehrte Ministerin Schmitt (Daniela Schmitt, Ministerin für Wirtschaft, Verkehr, Landwirtschaft und Weinbau Rheinland-Pfalz),

liebe Weinkönigin,

verehrte Anwesende,

 

ich möchte mich herzlich dafür bedanken, dass ich am Vorabend des Tags der Deutschen Einheit ein paar Worte an Sie richten darf.

So habe ich die Gelegenheit, Ihnen, Herr Botschafter, und Ihnen, Frau Ministerin, sowie allen anwesenden deutschen Bürgern und Bürgerinnen alles Gute zu wünschen.

Ich hoffe, Sie sehen es mir nach, dass ich angesichts der zahlreichen internationalen Gäste meine Ansprache auf Englisch fortsetze.

 

Since 1990, the third of October has been the National Day of the Federal Republic of Germany.

German unification brought an end to the division of our continent as it emerged after 1945.

Therefore, October the third is an important day not only for Germany, but for the whole of Europe.

On a day like this, I like to recall a legendary predecessor of Ambassador Meyer-Landrut: Otto von der Gablentz, who contributed greatly to German-Dutch relations.

He felt so at home here that he settled in the Netherlands after his retirement.

Like you, Mr Ambassador, Otto von der Gablentz was a staunch European.

A strong and united Europe is essential for our prosperity, peace and security.

As the seat of government, international city of peace and justice, and the location of important European institutions, we in The Hague contribute to this wherever possible.

In this regard, Germany, a tireless champion of European cooperation from the outset, has always been a source of inspiration and support.

As neighbouring countries, Germany and the Netherlands have numerous contacts and common ground, in a wide range of areas.

And that certainly applies to The Hague and Germany as well.

I would like to share a few examples with you.

For example, the municipality has a Special Envoy City of Peace and Justice, Diana Eggleston, geborene Bühler, aus Lindau am Bodensee.

Diana, wo bist du?

Robert van Asten, deputy mayor for Urban Development, Strategy and Europe, attends the leading real estate event Expo Real (Reáál) Munich every year.

Deputy mayor Hilbert Bredemeijer takes his Sports portfolio very, very seriously: he ran the Berlin marathon just two weeks ago.

And by the way: have you noticed that The Hague has really taken off in recent years?

To achieve this, our urban planning department drew inspiration and knowledge from Frankfurt am Main, also known as Mainhattan thanks to its skyline.

To ensure that the profits of entrepreneurs from The Hague also take off, we are helping them, together with the German-Dutch Chamber of Commerce, expand their sales market in Germany.

Siemens, which has been active in our city since 1879, is a founding member of The Hague Security Delta.

For German tourists, The Hague and Scheveningen (pronounced Sjééveningen in this case) are popular destinations.

Especially since Helmut Hetzel and Ulrike Grafberger devoted a travel guide to it, which has already been reprinted several times.

Helmut is part of The Hague’s German community, which is very active and contributes significantly to the appeal of our city.

As an example, I would mention the Deutsche Internationale Schule, which has been awarded the rating ‘excellent’.

The Netherlands-Germany Society is committed to promoting exchanges between the Netherlands and Germany.

The German International Club, Kulturnetz aan Zee and the Deutsche Bibliothek hold the rich German cultural heritage in high esteem here.

And speaking of German heritage:

Do you know Moussa Ghaït from Baker’s House in the Theresiastraat?

He was born in Morocco, trained as a master baker in Germany, and bakes König Ludwig bread, all kinds of cakes (Kuchen) and, of course, Christmas stollen like no other.

‘Intense’ is certainly the right description of the cultural exchange between Germany and The Hague.

For instance, the Residentie Orkest and its new chief conductor Jun Märkl.

I recently heard them play and I can tell you: go and listen for yourself; they are fantastic.

The Residentie Bachkoor performed better than ever in a packed Thomaskirche at the Bachfest in Leipzig last June.

Our top museums, the Mauritshuis and the Kunstmuseum attract countless visitors, thanks in part to their collaboration with German cultural treasuries such as the Alte Pinakothek Munich, the Kunstpalast Düsseldorf and the Alte Nationalgalerie Berlin.

As you can hear, Mr Ambassador, Madam Minister, Excellencies,

The contacts between Germany and The Hague are numerous and highly diverse.

Let us cherish those contacts and expand them where possible.

Trade, sports, culture and tourism bring people of different nationalities closer together.

And they will make both our countries stronger and more beautiful.

Thirty-five years ago, the two German states were reunited in peace and freedom.

I wish peace, freedom and prosperity for us all.

Once again, my warmest congratulations.

Herzlichen Glückwunsch.