Former Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) paid tribute to the city of Goslar. It is more than justified that Goslar is part of the Unesco World Heritage Site, Merkel said at a ceremony to mark Goslar’s 1100th anniversary on Thursday. Before that, she had given a detailed explanation of the history of the city, which was once the residence of many emperors, among other things.
The former chancellor also praised the work of local politicians. “The real reason for being here today is that I have the greatest respect and admiration for those who are politically active in local communities,” said Merkel, who has rarely appeared in public since the end of her term in office. The numerous current challenges – climate change, digitization, demographic change, Corona, wars and terror – and their effects often have to be solved very practically on site.
Merkel spoke to invited guests and citizens in the historic Kaiserpfalz building. The Kaiserpfalz, together with Goslar’s old town and the Rammelsberg ore mine, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992, and the Upper Harz water management system since 2010. The CDU was also founded in Goslar – in 1950.
Referring to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which began in February, Merkel said that this was the greatest violation of the principles of international law in Europe since the end of World War II. “That’s why February 24, 2022 marks a profound turning point.” Nevertheless, long-term work must be done on a pan-European security architecture that includes Russia, “even if it takes a lot of staying power.”
Goslar’s mayor Urte Schwerdtner (SPD) thanked the former chancellor for her speech. It’s an honor, said Schwerdtner. Among other things, she gave Merkel a coin as a gift “so that you can remember the Imperial Palace as your favorite palace”. A jazz band also played the song “You forgot the color film” by the GDR-born singer Nina Hagen. The song was also played at the Great Tattoo for the then outgoing Chancellor.
After the ceremony, the Imperial Palace was illuminated with a light and video show for the last time this year. There have been numerous events in the city throughout the year to mark the city’s anniversary.
