NEW ULM — A unique visit by the Ulm/Neu-Ulm delegation and the Neu-Ulm Stadtkapelle Orchestra was honored at the Sister Cities Banquet held at the New Ulm Community Center on Sunday.
Especially during Oktoberfest, it’s a special occasion for people from our sister cities to visit. But for Stadtkapelle, this was special because he hadn’t been able to visit since his first visit in 1983. Forty years later, Stadtkapelle made this year’s Oktoberfest one to remember with his performance at the Best Western.
Several people spoke at the banquet, highlighting the history of the sister city relationship and what it means to have such a large delegation here for Oktoberfest. First up was Sister Cities Commissioner Dick Seebos. Mr. Seebos talked about how the sister city relationship began between the city of New Ulm and the city of Ulm/Neu-Ulm. The name is relevant, but there’s more to it than that.
“Let’s go back to World War I, circa 1917.” Seabos said. “In Germany, all resources were tight and things were not going well anywhere. Coincidentally, the mayor of Neu-Ulm was the mayor of New-Ulm’s cousin. [at the time]. He contacted me and said, “Things are not good here.” We have problems feeding our communities. ” Word got here and they loaded up two boxcars with flour and many other items. I was really grateful that it was shipped. ”
After World War II, the partnership between the cities of Ulm and Neu-Ulm was kindled, resulting in several visits and awards from the Sister Cities International Association in 1979 and 1988. Also in 1988, the Hans Jooss Cultural Exchange Program was created, in which Evelyn Zettelmeyer participated. is a current intern from Ulm, Germany.
Mayor Kathleen Bakker said preparations for this weekend continued well into Terry Svein’s term as interim mayor. Backer received a letter in January from Ulm Mayor Martin Wendel expressing his interest in bringing a delegation of employees from the cities of Ulm and Neu-Ulm to New Ulm for Oktoberfest. Around the same time, Bakker learned that the Sister Cities Committee was planning to bring the Stadtkapelle band from Neu-Ulm as well.
“We found a schedule, shared it with each other, and continued planning.” [for a long time],” Bakker said.
Here are some well-known slogans in the New Ulm area: “Germans have more fun”. Mayor Bakker concluded his speech by addressing the entire crowd that supported the Ulm/Neu-Ulm delegation. She asked if it was true from her experience with her delegation that the Germans really are more fun. The reaction of applause and shouts showed that these words were true.
Martin Bendel, the first mayor of Ulm, and Katrin Albsteiger, mayor of Neu-Ulm, then exchanged gifts with Mayor Bakker and City Manager Chris Dalton to commemorate their visit.
Bakker and Dalton presented each mayor with a print and commemorative plaque selected by local artisans. There was a German Hermann at Bendel’s house, and a glockenspiel at Albsteiger’s house. Mr. Bendel presented a piece of brick excavated from Albert Einstein’s birthplace, and Mr. Albsteiger presented a recipe for German cookies and a photo of Neu-Ulm.
The Stadtkapelle Orchestra, led by conductor Thomas Ertmann, then performed the final performance of the Oktoberfest weekend.A mix of German music and big band classics. “Dancing Queen” and “Mamma Mia” Written by Abba. After the last song, Artman stood and took a bow, and the band received a standing ovation from those in attendance. It was a fitting send-off for the band, who were visiting New Ulm for the first time in 40 years to perform.
Stadtkapelle Chairman Martin Miecznik said the group enjoyed New Ulm’s Oktoberfest and hopes to return in the future. Currently, funding and timing are the biggest obstacles. Crossing the Atlantic Ocean is expensive. To save money, the band arrived in Chicago and took a bus to New Ulm. Members of the group also have their own full-time jobs that must be put aside while traveling.