2007 G8 Summit Magazine - (Page 33) Dear Readers, Dear Guests, I should like to welcome you most sincerely to Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and, as mayor of Bad Doberan, to our little town in particular. For three days, the G8 Summit will turn Bad Doberan, and especially Heiligendamm, into the hub of the universe. I hardly need to stress that this is a source of great joy for us, but that for some people the excitement is also mixed with a degree of uncertainty. After all, this world economic forum will bring more guests from more countries to Bad Doberan than have ever before been experienced in the changeful history of the town. I can assure you that all 12,000 citizens are well prepared for the many high-ranking visitors and will show themselves to be excellent hosts. Bad Doberan and Heiligendamm – Germany’s oldest seaside resort and the “white town on the sea” – have undergone an impressive process of development since 1990. This judgement is not just one that we have passed ourselves but rather one that our guests continually affirm. We, the citizens of this administrative district, are just as pleased about that as we are about the opportunity of presenting our elegant little town on the Baltic coast with its friendly people on the international stage. Words of Welcome from the Mayor of Bad Doberan/ Heiligendamm Hartmut Polzin I agree with our guests in saying that Bad Doberan definitely deserves to be presented to the world: its location beside the sea and in a delightful and varied natural environment is one reason. Another is its attractive architecture and the numerous places of interest – from the famous Minster, the “Pearl of North German brick Gothic” which attracts more than 170,000 visitors each year, and the narrow-gauge steam railway called “Molli”, to the oldest race course on the European mainland and the many classical-style buildings from the period of Friedrich Franz I, Duke of Mecklenburg. And of course we mustn’t forget that with its traditional curative mud-baths Bad Doberan has an outstanding reputation as a spa and convalescent centre. However, what is most important about and characteristic of Bad Doberan are its friendly and warm-hearted people who are used to welcoming international guests, not least at the Kempinski Grand Hotel in Heiligendamm. Just as prior to the Olympic Games the hope is expressed that the games will be peaceful, I should like – in the name of the people of Bad Doberan and all peace-loving people – to express the hope that the G8 Summit and all the events surrounding it will turn out to be a peaceful meeting between representatives of many different nations and varying opinions. Everyone – whether guest or host – should assume a certain amount of responsibility for ensuring that this is the case. In this spirit I should like to say once again: Welcome to Bad Doberan and Heiligendamm Hartmut Polzin -33- |
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