Citizens’ festival hosted by the Federal President
Frank-Walter Steinmeier hosts festival in recognition of volunteer work in Germany.
Berlin (d.de) - “Pamoja – stronger together” – this is the motto of the citizens’ festival being hosted by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Büdenbender in the park of Bellevue Palace on Friday and Saturday. Around 29 million people demonstrate a sense of social responsibility by doing volunteer work in their free time in Germany – almost 40 per cent of the total population. The Federal President is organising the citizens’ festival as a way of recognising the work done by volunteers while at the same time seeking to promote the idea of voluntary engagement in civil society.
On Friday, 4,300 guests will attend from all over Germany who have rendered outstanding services to the common good through their voluntary work. Saturday 14 September is Open Palace Day: here the Federal President welcomes all interested citizens to his official residence. This year there will also be a special focus on the neighbouring continent of Africa.