Steinmeier visits Neuruppin: dialogue and culture in the heart of Brandenburg

Steinmeier visits Neuruppin: dialogue and culture in the heart of Brandenburg

In a special initiative, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is moving his official residence to Brandenburg and will stay in Neuruppin from July 1st to 3rd, 2025. This is done as part of its “Local Time Germany” series, which aims to promote dialogue with citizens in less-noticed regions. Neuruppin, the city with around 32,000 inhabitants, is not only known for its impressive classicist architecture, but also as the birthplace of important personalities such as Theodor Fontane and Karl Friedrich Schinkel.

How bundespraesident.de reports, the start is planned in Neuruppin with a conversation between Steinmeier and the citizens as well as a meeting with the mayor and the parliamentary group leaders. This direct exchange is intended not only to address the concerns of the people in the region, but also to strengthen the importance of democracy.

A variety of activities are on the program

The course of the three days promises an exciting program: Steinmeier will visit the Neuruppin canoe club and also take a dragon boat trip on the picturesque Ruppiner Lake. There will be an artistic open-air reading with Lisa Kränzler, winner of the Fontane Literature Prize. The gallery for contemporary art “Kunstraum Neuruppin” is also on the list of visits. Steinmeier is also planning a visit to Automationssysteme Leske GmbH, which specializes in the development of industrial systems.

Another highlight is the “Controversial coffee table” discussion in the multi-generational house, where current developments in Neuruppin are discussed. The Neuruppin local group of the Technical Relief Agency, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary, will also pay Steinmeier a visit. In addition, a technical discussion will take place in the Neuruppin district court, which will address the topics of domestic violence and the protection of women and children.

Committed exchange with students

The exchange with students at the Ruppin-Brandenburg University Hospital and at the Brandenburg Medical School will be particularly interesting. There will then be a ceremonial conclusion in the Kulturkirche, where committed citizens from Brandenburg will be awarded medals.

Neuruppin will be the 16th stop in this important series of visits, which has already been carried out in numerous cities in Germany. In his announcements, Steinmeier emphasizes the importance of personal exchange and dialogue, which he sees as fundamental for democracy.

This initiative reminds us that there is also a lot of potential in lesser-known cities. While Steinmeier makes his way to Brandenburg, a similar action will also take place in Delitzsch in the northern Saxony district. Among other things, a citizens' dialogue on conscription and compulsory social service is organized here over a coffee table. Information about visiting Delitzsch can be found at tagesschau.de.