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Celebration of Farewell to the former Honorary Consul Klaus Becker and the Introduction of the New Honorary Consul Reinhard von Hennigs
11/10/2021
On Nov 10, the new German Consul General Melanie Moltmann invited in the City Club for a celebration of a farewell to the former Honorary Consul Klaus Becker and the introduction of the new Honorary Consul Reinhard von Hennigs:
Many dignitaries from the City and representatives of the German Community gathered
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Klaus Becker talked about the two goals he had set himself for his Honorary Consulship:
- Institutionalizing of the Office of the Honorary Consul
and
- Filling the function as Honorary Consul with life: The N.C. Zeitgeist Foundation
and the biennale artists tour TEASE – Transatlantic Exhibition of Art in the Southeast
- Institutionalizing of the Office of the Honorary Consul
and
- Filling the function as Honorary Consul with life: The N.C. Zeitgeist Foundation
and the biennale artists tour TEASE – Transatlantic Exhibition of Art in the Southeast
He thanked his team Britta Drahola, Nadine Voelkel and Aurea Barbee
Klaus Becker and his wife Concha bid farewell to a period where they had presented Germany as a “two-for-one”
Mission Accomplished
Helga Holmes, President of the Alemannia Society, thanked Klaus for his dedicated cooperation with her Association and bestowed a beautiful award plaque on him.
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Dr. Dieter Rathke awarded Klaus with the Certificate of Appreciation on behalf of the German Business Roundtable
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11/8/2021
Klaus Becker spoke via zoom to the Rotary International (whose Honorary Member he is) about the topic:
“Quo Vadis Germany - New German Politics in post Merkel Era"
He started off his discussion by explaining where Germany currently is in the realm of politics. Right now, Germany is in the middle of a paradigm shift. They had their most recent elections this past September, where a slew of new representatives have been voted in. While there is this new yet also uncertain wave of diplomats getting ready to set the scene of Germany for years to come, the European powerhouse first has to say goodbye to its past leaders. Mr. Becker stated that Germany has a bittersweet tone to it, as former Chancellor Angela Merkel leaves the government. She had mastered many crises throughout her tenure, and she goes with her dignity and reputation intact – paving the way for some new leadership.
“Quo Vadis Germany - New German Politics in post Merkel Era"
He started off his discussion by explaining where Germany currently is in the realm of politics. Right now, Germany is in the middle of a paradigm shift. They had their most recent elections this past September, where a slew of new representatives have been voted in. While there is this new yet also uncertain wave of diplomats getting ready to set the scene of Germany for years to come, the European powerhouse first has to say goodbye to its past leaders. Mr. Becker stated that Germany has a bittersweet tone to it, as former Chancellor Angela Merkel leaves the government. She had mastered many crises throughout her tenure, and she goes with her dignity and reputation intact – paving the way for some new leadership.
"Lieber Klaus,
Auch von meiner Seite war es nett, Dich und Concha bei Deiner Ehren Konsul Verabschiedung zu treffen.Meiner Meinung nach, waren Deine Abschiedsworte hervorragend gewaehlt , mit Passion, etwas Wehmut natuerlich, aber auch mit Witz und Humor. Eine tolle Kombination. ...und was Du alles in den 14 Jahren erreicht hast, ist schon Sehenswert!!!" -Hans
COOPERATION & CONFRONTATION: The U.S., Europe and China: A Love-Hate Relationship?
10/28/2021
Klaus Becker spoke about the consequences of the imposition of the steel and aluminum tariffs acc. to section 232
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Prof. Larres put some questions for clarifications
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Panel discussion with Knudt Flor and Ambassador Audrey Winter
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…and talking with a student.
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Lunch with the Brazilian Ambassador
10/20/2021
Klaus Becker was invited to lunch in the Charlotte City Club on Friday, Oct 29. This was an opportunity to discuss stronger regional, i.e. inner-American-continent business relationships.
Visit of a Delegation from Krefeld
The N.C. Zeitgeist Foundation is organizing the visit of a delegation from Krefeld to take place in Charlotte April 3 – 6. The delegation will consist of the Mayor of Krefeld Frank Meyer, Eckart Preen, the head of Economic Development and two colleagues, Dr. Thomas Grünewald, President of the Hochschule Niederrhein, Prof. Dr. Marion Halfmann and Dr. Erich Bröker, VP of the Chamber of Commerce in Krefeld. To prepare this visit, Klaus Becker met with Eckart Preen in the City Hall in Krefeld on October 20.
Aaron Kepley, Executive Director of the Rowan County Museum, in conversation with Klaus Becker about the development of the Southeast since 1866 and the German heritage in the region
Unveiling of the Statue of Baron Johann de Kalb, who dies heroically in the Battle of 1780 in the midst of the fights for American independency
10/10/2021
Virtual Symposium with the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance |
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10/5/2021
On Tuesday, Oct. 5, Eileen Cai, VP Business Recruitment, Asia & North America of the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance together with Rob Horton staged a virtual symposium about Foreign Direct Investment in our region for the International Advisory Council. The meeting was moderated by Mike Zeller of Moore & van Allen and the two speakers were David Robinson, Honorary Consul of Japan, and Klaus Becker the former German Honorary Consul.
GACC Gala Evening - The Gateway Award
9/29/2021
On Wednesday, Sep.29, 2021, Klaus Becker, in his last official appearance as Honorary Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany, together with his wife Concha, attended the yearly Gala-Evening of the German-American Chamber of Commerce (GACC), The Gateway Award. This prestigious award ceremony was once created by Klaus Becker, then President of the GACC in North Carolina, to honor a member of the German-American community for excellence in business. This year’s award was bestowed onto Parker Poe whose Sr. Partner Al Guarnieri accepted the award on behalf of his firm. Al is also the President of the local Warburg Chapter of the American Council on Germany.
Al Guarnieri, Sr. Partner of Parker Poe in his acceptance speech
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FedEx: Mastering Highly Complex Global Logistic Challenges Amplified by a Pandemic
9/28/2021
On Tuesday, Sep. 28, Dr. Udo Lange, President and CEO of FEDEX Logistics was the keynote speaker at an event co-organized by the WACC and The N.C. Zeitgeist Foundation on the porch of the Beckers residence. Topic was
“FedEx: Mastering Highly Complex Global Logistic Challenges Amplified by a Pandemic"
“FedEx: Mastering Highly Complex Global Logistic Challenges Amplified by a Pandemic"
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1000 Passport Applications in only 9 Months!
9/28/2021
Nadine Voelkel and Britta Drahola, the team around Honorary Consul Klaus Becker who handled all passport applications in the Carolinas, managed to accomplish the incredible, the almost Impossible: to process 1000 passports in only 9 months! In previous years, it took 12 months to reach this goal. This was only possible due to inexhaustible work of the team. Nadine was the one who processed this 1000th passport and Henry Stiepel was the happy applicant.
Bundestagswahl / Federal Elections - Sep. 26, 2021 – Davidson College
9/26/2021
As in previous important German elections, Davidson College invited Honorary Consul Klaus Becker to attend the closing of the precincts, when Germany elected a new Federal Parliament on Sunday, Sep. 26. Prof. Scott Denham staged the event in cooperation with Prof. Burkard Henke. Klaus Becker gave a short speech outlining the challenges which lay ahead for a new Government after 16 years of Merkel where lately not all important tasks were pursued with the necessary dynamic. Prof. Bes Ceka, as specialist of European elections and election systems outlined possible coalitions.
Oktoberfest
9/25/2021
Daniel Christmann and his lovely wife Rachel invited to a lively Oktoberfest on Saturday, Sep. 25. Many of the German community attended and enjoyed Bratwurst 'und ein Zünftig-Gezapftes’, a freshly tapped beer. It was also an opportunity to see the new offices in Cornelius; Daniel is one of the leading attorneys in passport matters in the region.
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Opening of a Branch in Charleston
9/16/2021
On Sep 16, 2021, The N.C. Zeitgeist Foundation celebrated its opening of a branch in Charleston. It was an elegant event which took place in the Carolina Yacht Club and was made possible by a generous gesture of Anne and Dick Keigher.
The invitation-only Champagne-Reception and dinner were hosted by The N.C. Zeitgeist Foundation and the Hanns-Seidel Foundation, who had invited to this wonderful dinner. The event was also sponsored generously by the College of Charleston whose President Andrew Hsu attended as well as representatives of the School of Languages, Cultures and World Affairs and its Advisory Board.
Besides Mayor John Tecklenburg, other notable representatives of Charleston’s international business community and members of the city’s society also enjoyed the evening.
The invitation-only Champagne-Reception and dinner were hosted by The N.C. Zeitgeist Foundation and the Hanns-Seidel Foundation, who had invited to this wonderful dinner. The event was also sponsored generously by the College of Charleston whose President Andrew Hsu attended as well as representatives of the School of Languages, Cultures and World Affairs and its Advisory Board.
Besides Mayor John Tecklenburg, other notable representatives of Charleston’s international business community and members of the city’s society also enjoyed the evening.
It is planned to share the events in the future. It is tentatively scheduled to have Jean-Arthur Régibeau, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium come to the Carolinas on Jan. 25-27 to attend events in Charlotte, Charleston and at UNC at Chapel Hill.
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Visit at World’s Largest BMW Plant
9/16/2021
Klaus Becker and his wife Concha accompanied Tomas Baert, Head of Trade + Agriculture at the European Embassy together with Christian Forstner, President of the Hanns-Seidel-Foundation in Washington, to the world’s largest BMW plant in Greer, SC. There they met with retired President + CEO Knudt Flor and the new President CEO of the BMW plant Dr. Robert Engelholm, who took over on Sep. 1, 2021.
Live Event with Tomas Baert, Head of Trade + Agriculture at the E.U. Embassy in Washington
9/15/2021
On Wednesday, Sep. 15, The N.C. Zeitgeist Foundation started the staging of live events again: they invited Tomas Baert, Head of Trade + Agriculture at the E.U. Embassy in Washington, to give a key-note speech about new challenges in trade between United States on the one hand, and the European Union on the other hand. The invitation-only event took place at Dressler’s midtown and was attended by leaders of the international business community and County Manager Dena Diorio. The Hanns-Seidel Foundation had invited to the dinner and the Champagne-Reception was made possible by Roedl + Partners. Both contributions were very generous.
Lake Wyle Rotary Club |
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9/14/2021
Honorary Consul Klaus Becker talked about the topic “Challenges of the Transatlantic Relationship”. One of the comments was: “It was a pleasure having you. Probably the most interesting and best presentation we had this year“.
Mechoui Alliance Française 2021
9/12/2021
Honorary Consul Klaus Becker and his wife attended ‘Méchoui’ as it is organized yearly by the Alliance Française on Sunday, Sep.12. It is a delicious goat barbeque.
Underwater-Filming of Interior of German U-Boat
Honorary Consul Klaus Becker helped Matt Smathers to get the right contacts at the Bundesamt für zentrale Dienste und offene Vermögensfragen – BADV- (Federal Office for Central Services and Unresolved Property) to get the permission to explore the interior of a German submarine sunk before the N.C. coast in WWII.
Matt is conducting his research and exploration by using an ROV camera which he can direct like a robot or drone.
Exciting: this is the blue print of the submarine:
and here is a rough map of it final resting place:
We cannot praise the extraordinarily long period of peace in Europe enough. Never to forget!
Switzerland’s 730th Birthday
7/31/2021
Klaus Becker and his wife joined the celebrations for the 730th Celebration of the Anniversary of Switzerland at the Red Fez Club on Lake Wylie on Saturday, August 4.
Former Swiss Honorary Consul Heinz Roth, Honorary Consul Hanspeter Bretscher and the President of the Swiss Club Angelika Brunner enjoyed a wonderful picnic at Lake Wylie.
First in-persona meeting of ‘Voices-from-the-Zeitgeist"
Symposium “Global Tour d’horizon”
6/11/2021
The Hannns Seidel-Foundation and The N.C. Zeitgeist Foundation invited the Members of the two Zeitgeist Boards to a Symposium on Friday, June 11.
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Robert Stolz, Chairman of the Board at Novant, talked about the current political landscape in North Carolina.
Prof. Dr. Klaus Larres gave his assessment of the transatlantic relations under the new Administration, outlined his expectations regarding the G7 summit and commented on the positioning of the western liberal democracies towards China.
Last but not least, Christian Forstner, President of the Hanns-Seidel-Foundation in Washington, described in a lively speech the current positions in the pre-election times in Germany.
Sommerfest of the German American Club in Spartanburg, SC
6/5/2021
Concha and I attended on Saturday, June 5, the yearly Sommerfest which was organized again with great love to detail by Dörte and Karsten Ingwersen in their beautiful garden.
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Karsten gave his farewell-speech as President:
Concha and I were invited as special guests and I thanked Karsten for the friendship with his Club:
and congratulations to the new incoming President Beate Pirchmoser were certainly due:
Karsten between the new President Beate Pirchmoser and Susan Walters, who had been the Secretary of the Club for many years.
Dörte and Karsten Ingwersen have always been gracious hosts:
Many thanks!
35 Years of Sister-City-Partnership Krefeld-Charlotte
5/23/2021
On Sunday, May 23, 2021, two institutions celebrated their birthdays:
Latter was celebrated with lots of fun and respect in the beer garden of OMB.
- the Federal Republic of Germany was founded exactly 72 years ago, 4 years after the end of WW II
and - the Friendship-Treaty of the Sister-Cities Krefeld and Charlotte became 35 years old.
Latter was celebrated with lots of fun and respect in the beer garden of OMB.
David Lynn, the head of the Sister City Committee, led through the formal and well received ceremony:
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and Alexis Gordon, Chief-of-Protocol of the City of Charlotte, read aloud Mayor Vi Lyles’ proclamation in honor of the “Day of Krefeld”:
The Ceremony was followed by zoom by Bürgermeisterin (Mayor) Kerstin Jensen of Krefeld and by Consul General Dr. Heike Fuller and culminated in the presentation of the ‚Cake of Honor’:
which was efficiently cut by Lucy under assistance by Stacey Hepp which…..
…was observed with great gusto:
TEASE – Transatlantic Exhibition of Art in the Southeast
meets
Irisol
5/20/2021
We are pleased to announce that Irisol Gonzalez has accepted our invitation to be one of the two U.S. emerging artists to participate in the Biennale TEASE– Transatlantic Exhibition of Art in the Southeast
The picture shows her (white shirt) and Klaus Becker in the middle with the Curator Johanna Steinz on the right and Irisol’s sister Sofia on the left.
TEASE– Transatlantic Exhibition of Art in the Southeast will have its Vernissage at the Collectors’ Room on Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021
The picture shows her (white shirt) and Klaus Becker in the middle with the Curator Johanna Steinz on the right and Irisol’s sister Sofia on the left.
TEASE– Transatlantic Exhibition of Art in the Southeast will have its Vernissage at the Collectors’ Room on Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021
Summer is nearing….
5/17/2021
Klaus Becker attended with his wife Concha the yearly Garden-Party of the ESU – English Speaking Union, in a picturesque garden in the Myers Park neighborhood.
Revival of the Stammtisch at OMB
5/14/2021
Gradually the world is normalizing again and recovers from all the pandemic restrictions.
The first Stammtisch organized by Henry Hilgenstock, Kühne + Nagel, took place on Friday, May 14.
The first Stammtisch organized by Henry Hilgenstock, Kühne + Nagel, took place on Friday, May 14.
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The 1000. Passport in 2020
12/9/2020
The 1000. passport was issued in our Office of the Honorary Consul in Charlotte in 2020 - and this in spite of a closure of 10 weeks during March-May.
Klaus Becker’s Remarks at the Charlotte-Krefeld Sister-City Symposium
11/18/2020
Getting a German Passport When Your Papers are More than 60 Years Old
08/12/2020
On Aug. 12, Ethan Hertz visited the Office of the Honorary Consul to get his German passport. His family had suffered tremendously in Germany’s dark times in the first half of the last century. The German TV NDR made a story about him, the fate of his family, and the famous “Stolpersteine” (Stumbling Stones). Please click on the web-site in Mr. Hertz’ e-mail to learn more about this unique way of dealing with Germany’s past:
"Dear Ms. Drahola and Mr. Becker,
I want to thank you for all your help yesterday in processing my application for a German passport. The process went much smoother than I imagined, given that my German documents were over 60 years old. As you both saw, my knowledge of German is, unfortunately, limited. As I mentioned to Mr. Becker, after my family immigrated to the US in 1956, when I was 3 years old, my parents emphasized that I needed to speak English, as we were now in the US. They did not want me to learn German, as being American was very important to them.
Overall, you did seem to be interested in my own story. If you want a little more information, you might find the video I am linking to below interesting:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/422l8p7k02u9g1w/Exploring%20Karseboom%20Legacy%20in%20Wismar%20and%20Hamburg.mp4?dl=0
This is a story done by NDR on me and my family when my wife and I were in Hamburg and Wismar in 2017. The story runs about 3 minutes and focuses on my grandfather's house and business in Wismar. In 1933, my grandparents were forced to leave Wismar and moved to Hamburg, Lubeck, and then Hamburg again before eventually leaving for Palestine after Kristallnacht. As I get older, I am getting more interested in the lives of my ancestors. Fortunately, I have been able to visit Germany four times in the last few years to do some of the exploration that sheds light on their lives.
I am sorry that I showed up late at your office for my appointment. As you probably heard, I-85 north of Charlotte was shut down for many hours as the result of a major accident involving three fire trucks and a tractor trailer early in the morning. If I had realized that the road was closed, I would have taken an alternate route to get to Charlotte.
Again, I do want to let you know that I am extremely grateful for all your help yesterday.
Sincerely,
Ethan Hertz"
I want to thank you for all your help yesterday in processing my application for a German passport. The process went much smoother than I imagined, given that my German documents were over 60 years old. As you both saw, my knowledge of German is, unfortunately, limited. As I mentioned to Mr. Becker, after my family immigrated to the US in 1956, when I was 3 years old, my parents emphasized that I needed to speak English, as we were now in the US. They did not want me to learn German, as being American was very important to them.
Overall, you did seem to be interested in my own story. If you want a little more information, you might find the video I am linking to below interesting:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/422l8p7k02u9g1w/Exploring%20Karseboom%20Legacy%20in%20Wismar%20and%20Hamburg.mp4?dl=0
This is a story done by NDR on me and my family when my wife and I were in Hamburg and Wismar in 2017. The story runs about 3 minutes and focuses on my grandfather's house and business in Wismar. In 1933, my grandparents were forced to leave Wismar and moved to Hamburg, Lubeck, and then Hamburg again before eventually leaving for Palestine after Kristallnacht. As I get older, I am getting more interested in the lives of my ancestors. Fortunately, I have been able to visit Germany four times in the last few years to do some of the exploration that sheds light on their lives.
I am sorry that I showed up late at your office for my appointment. As you probably heard, I-85 north of Charlotte was shut down for many hours as the result of a major accident involving three fire trucks and a tractor trailer early in the morning. If I had realized that the road was closed, I would have taken an alternate route to get to Charlotte.
Again, I do want to let you know that I am extremely grateful for all your help yesterday.
Sincerely,
Ethan Hertz"
US Citizenship
07/20/2020
"Dear Klaus,
I wanted to let you know that I was sworn in as a US Citizen today. You helped me a lot in the beginning to get my BBG going.
Thank you very much for your help."
-Oliver Riemann
I wanted to let you know that I was sworn in as a US Citizen today. You helped me a lot in the beginning to get my BBG going.
Thank you very much for your help."
-Oliver Riemann
Assistance for the New Generation
06/30/2020
Jordan Schindler receives Repatriation-Certificate
04/11/2020
On Easter-Saturday, April 11, Jordan Schindler received his Wiedereinbürgerungsurkunde, his Repatriation-Certificate, out of the hands of Honorary Consul Klaus Becker. The ceremony took place in Beckers’ outside living room, his porch, to see to social distancing. Jordan was born in Tucson, grew up in Seattle and settled in Charlotte four years ago. Both of his grandparents had to flee Germany in the horrible times of the thirties; one couple came through Peru, the other through Mexico to the United States. Jordan is a successful entrepreneur in the textile business and he produces, among other things, sophisticated masks to protect against the Corona Virus.
Spectrum News Interview
03/12/2020
5th International Symposium on Language for Specific Purpose
03/06/2020
On March 4-6, UNCC staged the prestigious International Symposium on Language for Specific Purpose. Co-chairs Prof. Anabel Aliaga-Buchenau, Prof. Michael Doyle and Prof. Chris Mellinger invited Honorary Consul Klaus Becker to address the audience of about 200 Professors of Linguistics as key-note speaker during the luncheon on Friday ,March 6 on this topic.
Klaus gave a witty and well-versed speech which was well received according to the many positive comments.
Klaus gave a witty and well-versed speech which was well received according to the many positive comments.
Hanns Seidel Stiftung visiting Charlotte
03/2-4/2020
Oliver Jörg, Secretary General of the Hanns-Seidel-Stiftung in Munich, accompanied by Christian Forstner, his man-on-the-spot in Washington, and Dr. Wolf Krug, Director of the Institute of European +Transatlantic Dialog, visited Charlotte, to witness the elections around Super-Tuesday. On Monday, they attended a Trump rally at the Bojangles Arena together with Honorary Consul Klaus Becker whose offices they visited the next morning. They gathered some historic background information about the Democratic Party by meeting with Michael Almond, a member of The N.C. Zeitgeist Foundation. They also met with well known Alma Adams.
Mardi Gras / Fasching Parade at Waddell School
02/25/2020
Honorary Consul Klaus Becker was invited by Dr. Felicia Eybl, the President of Waddell Language Immersion School, to attend the yearly Mardi Gras / Fasching Parade. More than 450 students are enrolled and are learning German. 12 teachers help them acquire the language skills and the success is stupendous. In the past, Consul Becker taught lessons about Germany at the school.
The Citadel
02/20/2020
Prof. Amy Emm and Prof. Katya Skow, both of the German Department at The Citadel, invited Honorary Consul Klaus Becker to give a speech about “Germany and the Carolinas – Challenges and Opportunities”. After Prof. Skow had introduced Klaus Becker, he talked about the specifics of Germany, and emphasized that the historic becoming of Germany as a country has been very different from the history of other European countries. The students showed a great interest in Europe’s most populous country; some of them wanted to be stationed there one day.
College of Charleston
02/20/2020
Prof. Tim Johnson, Dean School of Languages, Cultures, and World Affairs and Prof. Morgan Koerner, Chair, Department of German and Russian Studies, of the College of Charleston (CofC) went out of their way to organize a very successful visiting program. Thus, Klaus Becker and his wife met with outstanding members of the German and German-related Community in Charleston; of course with representatives of academia, but also of the Charleston Library Society, entrepreneurs, and Members of the Board of the CofC school of Languages Cultures and World Affairs. These were very fruitful conversations and it was agreed to work together in the future on artistic exchanges like TEASE – Transatlantic Exhibition of Art in the Southeast or participation in events of the Grand Speaker Series organized by The N.C. Zeitgeist Foundation.
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Audience with Mayor John Tecklenburg
02/20/2020
While in Charleston, Mayor John Tecklenburg invited Honorary Consul Klaus Becker and his wife for a private meeting. Topics like the potential cooperation in cultural and artistic matters were discussed. Klaus Becker invited Mayor Tecklenburg to attend a luncheon with Ambassador Michael Curtis of the Embassy of the European Union which The N.C. Zeitgeist Foundation will host in Charlotte on April 23. Mayor Tecklenburg reciprocated with an invitation to the yearly Assembly of the Friendly Society, the oldest German association in the United States; it was founded more than 270 years ago.
Bosch Rexroth
02/11/2020
On Tuesday, February 11, 2020, Honorary Consul Klaus Becker was invited by Director Technical Functions Harald Prenzel to visit Bosch Rexroth in Charlotte and to see the production of incredibly precise devices which see to the mobility within the manufacturing process in a multitude of companies. Bosch Rexroth is leading worldwide in this technology and it is a marvel to inspect instruments which were manufactured to tolerances which are within a thousandth’s of a millimeter.
Klaus Becker also met with Harald Prenzel’s colleagues Matthew Brown and Mark Rohlinger who in their free time work with an admirable input of personal time an efforts on a project with Olympic High School where they build robots from scratch with unbelievable capacities. The Bosch Foundation supports these teaching-projects of school kids in this non-affluent area monetarily with a significant amount.
Klaus Becker also met with Harald Prenzel’s colleagues Matthew Brown and Mark Rohlinger who in their free time work with an admirable input of personal time an efforts on a project with Olympic High School where they build robots from scratch with unbelievable capacities. The Bosch Foundation supports these teaching-projects of school kids in this non-affluent area monetarily with a significant amount.
Interview with Joey Carol, an 11th Grade Student of Woodlawn School about German Reunification
02/03/2020
On February 3, Klaus Becker was interviewed by Joey Carol, an 11th grade student of Woodlawn School in Mooresville, regarding the reunification of Germany in 1990 and its ramifications in East and West Germany. He put a very impressive contribution on this topic together :
This wonderful documentation earned him the first place at the regional National History Day competition on the UNCC campus in the senior documentary division. It is foreseen that he now moves on to the state competition which will be held (virtually) late April in Raleigh, NC. We wish him good luck! He is a very promising young gentleman.
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Luncheon at Charlotte’s Rotary North
1/27/2020
Honorary Consul Klaus Becker was invited by Charlotte’s Rotary North for a luncheon to give a speech about Germany – The Future & The History Snail. Becker gave an analysis of the Germany of today and its prospects when going int the new decade in regards of development in industry, GDP position in the world, and preparations to fight climate change. Latter, he finds, is to be the main topic for Europe to deal with in order to be relevant in the world in 2, 3 decades. A unified Europe is the necessary base for this.
Also, he warned against developments against increased tendencies towards protectionism and nationalism, both not good “-isms’s” as the history has taught us.
Also, he warned against developments against increased tendencies towards protectionism and nationalism, both not good “-isms’s” as the history has taught us.
57th Anniversary of German-French Friendship Treaty
1/22/2020
For the first time, the French and the Germans staged an event together in Charlotte and it turned out to be a success. In order to celebrate the 57th Anniversary of German-French Friendship Treaty (and its renewal a year ago in Aachen by Chancellor Merkel and President Macron), The N.C. Zeitgeist Foundation and the Alliance Française joined forces and about 35 people came together spontaneously. Everybody thought the idea was great, enjoyed the event and it is the intention shared by all to put such an event on bigger feet next year.
GACC New Year Reception
1/17/2020
On Friday, Jan. 17, Klaus Becker and his wife Concha attended the New Year’s Reception of the GACC – North Carolina Chapter. This was a special event since it was also the farewell of the GAVV-Atlanta’s long time President and CEO Steffi Ziska. Becker had known her for more than 14 years and recognized her as a capable leader in the AHK-world who has a vision and the means to realize her goals with energy and personal impetus while being, at the same time, a warm and compassionate woman on a personal basis. He wished her all the best for her new endeavors in Croatia.
New Year’s Reception of the GACC in Greenville, SC
1/8/2020
On Jan. 8, Klaus Becker attended the New Year’s Reception of the GACC in Greenville, SC which took place in the wonderful premises of Clemson University. He addressed the guests in order to advertise the possibility for Germans living in both Carolinas to have their passports renewed (by re-application) in Charlotte. This spares them the trip to Atlanta which many find takes more time and it is for some cumbersome to find their way in the middle of the high rise buildings in downtown Atlanta. In Charlotte it is easy: go to the parking lot, pay no parking fees and get into the building. Also, by providing this service in Charlotte, the overall waiting times could be reduced.
N.C. Zeitgeist Foundation Christmas Party 2019
12/15/2019
The N.C. Zeitgeist Foundation’s successful year ended accordingly: in pure elegance, on a high note: selected 65 guests enjoyed an evening in relaxed atmosphere, in a gorgeously decorated space, with champagne, excellent food and wine. Klaus Becker, the German Honorary Consul and chairman of the foundation, commended the guests for being brave by overcoming prevailing triskaidekaphobia (the fear of the number 13); after all, this prestigious event took place on Friday, the 13th! The evening was accompanied by Opera Carolina Soprano Amanda Sesler and Tenor Johnathan White who stunningly performed arias by Puccini, Léhar and Verdi. The guests were completely moved by the vocal presence and asked for a daccapo. One of the guests remarked: "Last night was a wonderful evening and my wife and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The food was great, the singers were amazing, and the other guests were, once again, very nice. Thank you for the invitation and your warm hospitality." What a wonderful way to finish the year.
DSC Weihnachtsfeier 2019
12/14/2019
One of the supreme tasks of a German Honorary Consul in Charlotte is to greet the teaching staff of the Deutsche Schule, the parents and the more than 230 children at the occasion of their Christmas Party. A task which Becker has been fulfilling with great pleasure, especially since -many years ago- his own daughter Fiorella went to the school and now speaks perfect German. The Santa who provides the kids with little gifts is Karl Bleimann, "deutsches Urgestein" (veteran) in the Charlotte German Community, who has been doing this service fondly and proudly for more than 30 years. Also in the pictures: Chair Patrick Oltmann, President Sigrid Haas-Belluz, Founding members Kai Schnaidt and Friedel Farkouh.
Review of the Office of the Honorary Consul
12/13/2019
We recently received this lovely and personal review from a visitor at the Offices of the Honorary Consul:
Traditional Christmas Dinner of the Alliance Française
12/12/2019
On Thursday, Dec. 12, Klaus Becker and his wife Concha joined the traditional Christmas Dinner of the Alliance Française. At the same time, the Alliance celebrated its 70th anniversary and the Christmas Dinner took place for the 60th time. The event was hosted at the really quaint restaurant Global on Main Street in Pineville, with excellent food. The pictures show Lydie Surget, the president of AF, her right hand Nathalie, a friend Sylvie and the chef and owner of the restaurant.
Alliance Française and The N.C. Zeitgeist Foundation plan an exciting event for the end of January 2020 to celebrate the 57th Anniversary of the German-French Friendship Treaty. To be continued.
Alliance Française and The N.C. Zeitgeist Foundation plan an exciting event for the end of January 2020 to celebrate the 57th Anniversary of the German-French Friendship Treaty. To be continued.
Christmas Party at the Triad German Club Sunday
12/8/2019
Marliese Francis, President of the Triad German Club in Winston-Salem, invited Honorary Consul Klaus Becker to the Christmas Party of the German social club and he attended with his wife Concha and their good friend Berkley von Feilitzsch, who is very familiar with the arts scene of this great town. He is assisting to stage a great event during the next artists tour TEASE – Transatlantic Exhibition of Art in the Southeast 2020 in Winston-Salem.
Becker gave a brief Christmas speech starting with the remarks that he immediately took the Triad German Club into his heart (in sein Herz geschlossen) when he saw the Silesian home made poppy seed cake with sugar glaze (as only his mother had made and since she passed away he reported that he had resigned to the fact that he would never be able to enjoy this delicacy from Silesia ever again). In general, the party was well prepared, with great love to detail, the Christmas Story and poems were read, and plenty of German Christmas songs sung.
The coronation was a buffet with wonderful delicious cold cuts and good bread - just like an Abendbrot / Vesper in good ol’ Germany.
It was a pleasure to attend.
Becker gave a brief Christmas speech starting with the remarks that he immediately took the Triad German Club into his heart (in sein Herz geschlossen) when he saw the Silesian home made poppy seed cake with sugar glaze (as only his mother had made and since she passed away he reported that he had resigned to the fact that he would never be able to enjoy this delicacy from Silesia ever again). In general, the party was well prepared, with great love to detail, the Christmas Story and poems were read, and plenty of German Christmas songs sung.
The coronation was a buffet with wonderful delicious cold cuts and good bread - just like an Abendbrot / Vesper in good ol’ Germany.
It was a pleasure to attend.
Asian Chamber Holiday Reception December 2020
12/5/2019
On Thursday, December 5, Honorary Consul Klaus Becker and his wife Concha attended the Holiday Reception of the Asian-American Chamber, convened by John Chen in the new (public) CMS-Chinese-Immersion School, one of only 8 in the nation. The picture shows Klaus Becker and his wife Concha, Dr. Nini Bautista, President of the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas and Andrea Lee of Hissho Sushi.
Honorary Consul Klaus Becker meets Hornets' Mascot
12/4/2019
Klaus Becker has a new friend. He met with the Hornets’ mascot at the big celebration of the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance during which the they bestowed the award on the Hornets’ General Manager Fred Whitfield to be 2019 Citizen of the Carolinas Honoree. What a great guy, a huge contributor to Charlotte’s community!
Career Booster Day UNCC
11/18/2019
Honorary Consul Klaus Becker visited UNCC on Monday, November 18, 2019, to give remarks regarding the necessity to learn another language in general and the prospective importance of learning German in particular, in front of 400 high school students from the region who wanted to learn about ways and means to prepare themselves for the professional life after high school. At least one other foreign language spoken fluently is a ‘MUST’ in today’s global world was Klaus Becker’s message.
Speech at USC Upstate in Spartanburg
11/9/2019
At the occasion of the 30th Anniversary of the Fall of the Wall, Honorary Consul and chairman of the N.C. Zeitgeist Foundation Klaus Becker gave a speech to the topic: 70 Years of Peace – 30 Years Fall of the Wall - Where does the History Snail Go?- The event took place at the premises of the Mittelstands-Company Menzel in Spartanburg whose lawn adjacent to I-85 was decorated with two original pieces of the Wall between the two Germanys.
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Austrian National Holiday Celebration 2019
10/25/2019
On Friday, Oct 25, 2019, Honorary Consul Klaus Becker and his wife Concha attended the celebrations of the Austrian National Holiday at OMB. Since the Austrian Honorary Consul could not attend, Klaus was cordially accepted as a substitute.
International Rotary Gala - Global Service Award
10/15/2019
Every year, the Rotary International of Charlotte bestows the Global Service Award on a selected, deserving member of the Community. In 2019, Honorary Consul Klaus Becker was the guest of honor and the recipient of this prestigious Award. The celebration took place in the festive Charlotte City Club on October 15. In his thank-you speech, Becker stressed the importance of diversification in the Community, the respect for others and minorities, and the furtherance and strengthening of global relations, especially concerning transatlantic ties. This Award is certainly a great honor.
Delegation of German Teachers Visiting Charlotte - Atlantic-Bridge
10/15/2019
The Atlantic-Bridge, in their mission to further strengthen transatlantic relations, organizes a yearly exchange of teachers under the guidance of board member Karsten Uhlmann. This year, the German delegation also came to Charlotte and Honorary Consul Klaus Becker met with them for an intensive exchange of ideas. Becker also used this opportunity to tell the visiting group about German heritage in the area and more about the background of Queen Charlotte in Mecklenburg County. The feedback was very positive: "It was a candid and fruitful discussion that helped set the tone for our [the delegation's] visit here in NC."
AHK Atlanta Visiting Charlotte with Delegation from Thuringia
10/10/2019
On Oct. 10, 2019, AHK Atlanta visited Charlotte with a delegation from Thuringia. They were received by Honorary Consul Klaus Becker at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery. It was an opportunity to meet old friends again who had participated in a sister city event about the Forest of Thuringia organized by Gastonia and Gera in 2017. Klaus Becker had once established first ties to this wonderful East German State in collaboration with former President of the State Parliament Christian Carius, and, later, Minister of the Interior Wolfgang Tiefensee.
'Day of German Unity' at UNC Greensboro
10/3/2019
To celebrate the new national holiday ‚Day of German Unity‘, Honorary Consul Klaus Becker gave a speech at UNC Greensboro on Oct. 2, 2019. Prof. Brooke Kreitinger had invited him to speak about Germany to a selected group of students from various departments: Languages, History, Geography, Political Sciences and International Studies. Also, representatives of other academic institutions with German departments attended: from Lenoir Rhyne University and High Point University. Topic was the history of Germany in the Southeast and the Reunification of the two Germany’s on Oct. 3, 1990.
El Grito - Mexican Day of Indepenence
9/22/2019
On Sunday, Sep. 22, 2019, Honorary Consul Klaus Becker and his wife Concha, a native of Mexico, attended the Celebrations of the Day of Mexican Independence ‘El Grito’ in Charlotte as guests of honor. Over 15,000 Mexicans attended this big and impressive festival. Charlotte’s Mayor Vi Lyles, Mecklenburg County’s Charlotte’s Garry McFadden and, of course, the Mexican Honorary Consul Wayne Cooper and his wife Judy were among the other guests of honor.
The Consul General of Mexico Claudia Velasco gave her traditional El Grito-Speech (interacting with the crowds) and then executed the traditional waving of the Mexican flag.
The Consul General of Mexico Claudia Velasco gave her traditional El Grito-Speech (interacting with the crowds) and then executed the traditional waving of the Mexican flag.
Speech for Wharton School of Business and Harvard Business School Alumni
9/19/2019
On September 19, Honorary Consul Klaus Becker spoke, upon invitation of Andy Cohen and John Griffith, to a wonderful group of alumni of Wharton School of Business and Harvard Business School. It was a great honor to be invited by such international and open-minded people, always ready for an intellectual exchange of thoughts and ideas. Becker talked about the topic: “ Partners: Germany and the Carolinas- Reflections and Opportunities - “ The speech was well received and followed up by a lively Q+A session.
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Birthday Celebration for the Old Stone House
9/19/2019
On Friday, Sep. 19, the Rowan Museum in Salisbury honored the birthday of their Old Stone House which was built in 1766 by Michael Braun from Ruschberg in Rhineland Palatinate. It is the oldest preserved stone structure in North Carolina. The Museum’s Director Aaron Kepley put together a wonderful, very detailed evening program with excellent German food and barbecue honoring the board, sponsors and friends of The Old Stone Home. In his key-note, Honorary Consul Klaus Becker emphasized the importance of maintaining the German heritage in our region and the necessity to further strengthen the civic bonds between the people of Germany and the United States. This was an event which fit perfectly into the agenda of the special motto “Wunderbar Together” of the Deutschlandjahr ("German Year").
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50 Years of Truetzschler in the United States
9/7/2019
On Saturday, Sep. 7, 2019, Honorary Consul Klaus Becker and his wife Concha were invited to attend the celebrations of Truetzschler’s Anniversary of 50 years in the United States, of 50 successful years in Charlotte. Truetzschler is a typical Mittelstands-Company (small and medium-sized enterprise) which form the real backbone of Germany’s robust economy: often over hundred years old, always in control of families who pass on the baton from generation to generation. In the case of Truetzschler, the fifth generation is getting ready to enter the starting blocks.
Many textile machinery producers have not survived the down-turn of the textile industry in our area. Truetzschler did. By innovative changing course, among others into the direction of non-woven, they have found a new niche where they are applying their world-leading technology again.
Klaus Becker’s remarks, which were well received by the audience and particularly the owner family and top management, especially pointed out the steadfast importance of this huge segment of the Europe’s strongest economy, the German Mittelstand, famous for its innovations and dedication to thorough dual vocational training.
Many textile machinery producers have not survived the down-turn of the textile industry in our area. Truetzschler did. By innovative changing course, among others into the direction of non-woven, they have found a new niche where they are applying their world-leading technology again.
Klaus Becker’s remarks, which were well received by the audience and particularly the owner family and top management, especially pointed out the steadfast importance of this huge segment of the Europe’s strongest economy, the German Mittelstand, famous for its innovations and dedication to thorough dual vocational training.
Letter from Ambassador Dr. Emily Haber
8/13/2019
Inauguration AA Flight to Munich
3/30/2019
On March 30, 2019, Honorary Consul Klaus Becker and his wife were invited to attend the official Ribbon Cutting when the new American Airlines flight Charlotte-Munich was inaugurated. Mayor Vi Lyles and AA-Hub Director Dec Lee were spearheading the ribbon cutting activities at the gate. This is the first all-year-round international flight in twenty years which was put into operation at the Charlotte International Airport. This third daily non-stop flight to Germany emphasizes the importance of German Industry and Trade in the Charlotte area.
Annette Schavan’s visit in the German News
2/23/2019
Annette Schavan’s visit in Charlotte was worth a headline in her home town’s news paper.
German Ambassador Emily Haber visits Charlotte
1/15/2019
On January 15 and 16, the German Ambassador Emily Haber visited Charlotte. First station was the Government Center where she met with mayor pro term Julie Eiselt.
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Afterwards, we met with Governor Roy Cooper.
Honorary Consul Klaus Becker introduced Ambassador Haber.
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The hole key-note speech can be watched online if you click on this picture.
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Honorary Consuls of Germany, Hungary and France with Governor Roy Cooper.
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WACC LJ Stambuk posed with the Ambassador and Klaus Becker.
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In the afternoon, we visited SIEMENS:
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The next morning, the group around Ambasador Haber moved on to Central Piedmoint Community College (CPCC). The German Ambassador toured CPCC's Apprenticeship Program.
Consul General DR. Fuller, Mike Hogan, Chris Paynter, Ambassador Haber, Dr. Deitemeyer, Pres. of CPCC, Klaus Becker and Richard Zollinger
N.C. Zeitgeist Chairman in Front of Little Angels
12/3/2018
Charlotte—Klaus Becker, Honorary Consul and Chairman of The N.C. Zeitgeist Foundation, visited on Monday, December 3, together with Susanne Bless, a German teacher, a group of 27 preschoolers called The Little Angels. The audience, elegantly dressed for the big event, was patiently waiting for the guest speaker’s arrival in the little ante-room. The discussion included important German topics like Pretzels, Gummibären (Gummi Bears), Bratwurst, Disney Castle and its original in Germany, Cinderella and Hänsel & Gretel.
Small tokens were distributed on behalf of the Honorary Consulate and the Consulate General in Atlanta, including the traditional German advent calendars whose 24 doors will be opened – one by one – until December 24 and of, course, German flags, which were waved with great joy.
Small tokens were distributed on behalf of the Honorary Consulate and the Consulate General in Atlanta, including the traditional German advent calendars whose 24 doors will be opened – one by one – until December 24 and of, course, German flags, which were waved with great joy.
Germany in the Carolinas
11/29/2018
Winston-Salem, NC—German Honorary Consul and Chairman of The N.C. Zeitgeist Foundation, Klaus Becker, gave a speech on “Germany in the Carolinas – Reflections and Opportunities” to students of high schools in Winston-Salem and students of the University at Wake Forest on November 29, 2018. The highlight was a power point presentation showing points of touristic and technical interest throughout Germany. One of the teachers reported the comments of one of his students with the words: “"Hallo! I didn't get the chance to thank you. That was fun. One of my students said he never knew it was possible to listen to someone talk for that long and not only enjoy it but want to hear more. Take that as the Gospel -- high schoolers are brutally honest.”
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John B. Emerson, Former U.S. Ambassador to Germany, Keynote Speaker at Dinner Reception
11/9/2018
Charlotte, October 24, 2018—The N.C. Zeitgeist Foundation co-hosted, together with the American Council on Germany, a dinner reception for John Emerson who served as United States Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany from 2013 to 2017.
The event at the Charlotte City Club was attended by selected representatives of the city administration and the business community, especially leaders of larger German corporations and German ‘Mittelstand’ companies. Mayor pro tem Julie Eiselt represented the city of Charlotte.
Ambassador Emerson talked about his time as America’s highest ranking diplomat in Berlin under the chancellorship of Angela Merkel, provided his view on the current political climate between the two countries and engaged in an animated conversation on how the civic relations could further be strengthened and reinforced.
The dinner was generously sponsored by American Emo Trans.
The event at the Charlotte City Club was attended by selected representatives of the city administration and the business community, especially leaders of larger German corporations and German ‘Mittelstand’ companies. Mayor pro tem Julie Eiselt represented the city of Charlotte.
Ambassador Emerson talked about his time as America’s highest ranking diplomat in Berlin under the chancellorship of Angela Merkel, provided his view on the current political climate between the two countries and engaged in an animated conversation on how the civic relations could further be strengthened and reinforced.
The dinner was generously sponsored by American Emo Trans.
The N.C. Zeitgeist Foundation Hosts its 3rd Successful Biennial TEASE – Transatlantic Exhibition of Art in the Southeast
10/19/2018
The N.C. Zeitgeist Foundation hosted its 3rd biennial Transatlantic Exhibition of Art in the Southeast at the elegant Elder Gallery of Contemporary Art in Charlotte on October 3 as well as at Appalachian State University in Boone on October 5, 2018. The Foundation’s curator Johanna Steinz worked for the 2018 tour with the German artist Christian Ristau as well as with Charlotte-based artists Regine Bechtler, Terry Thirion and Isaac Payne and, in Boone, also with Christine Perry. The numerous visitors experienced a wonderfully stimulating and entertaining ambience as the artists personally interacted with them and showcased their refreshing mix of sculpture, painting and open-minded presence.
TEASE – Transatlantic Exhibition of Art in the Southeast 2018 was part of the initiative Deutschlandjahr USA. Under the slogan “Wunderbar together”, the year of German-American Friendship 2018/19 (Deutschlandjahr USA) promotes events and exhibitions featuring modern Germany across the United States in the fields of politics, culture, education, science, business, and industry. The project is funded by the German Federal Foreign Office, implemented by the Goethe-Institute and supported by the Federation of German Industries (BDI). Additional support for TEASE 2018 was provided by International Ceramic Construction, Lufthansa and Kühne + Nagel.
TEASE – Transatlantic Exhibition of Art in the Southeast 2018 was part of the initiative Deutschlandjahr USA. Under the slogan “Wunderbar together”, the year of German-American Friendship 2018/19 (Deutschlandjahr USA) promotes events and exhibitions featuring modern Germany across the United States in the fields of politics, culture, education, science, business, and industry. The project is funded by the German Federal Foreign Office, implemented by the Goethe-Institute and supported by the Federation of German Industries (BDI). Additional support for TEASE 2018 was provided by International Ceramic Construction, Lufthansa and Kühne + Nagel.
Charlotte
Boone
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