Celebrating our own national holiday abroad was something special, especially with such a lively city partnership between Kiel and San Francisco and a strong German community in the Bay Area.

Both at the official flag raising of the German flag on the balcony of San Francisco City Hall with Chief of Protocol Maryam Muduroglu and Consul General Oliver Schramm and at the reception hosted by the German Consulate, it became clear how important a lively and trusting connection between Germany and the USA and the Bay Areas is at both an economic and civil society level. Guest of honor, Attorney General of California, Rob Bonta, emphasized in his speech that in times of bloc formation, the fall of the Berlin Wall and German reunification remind us that these divisions can be overcome. This gives hope for the future.

After an intensive week in San Francisco, this day was the perfect way to end the event and celebrate with friends and new contacts. In the evening, more than 400 guests came together, so we had the opportunity to follow up on conversations and expand our network once again.