To mark Malta’s first EU Council Presidency, the
German-Maltese Association in cooperation with the Embassy of Malta organized
two “Malta Days” in Cologne and Adenau.
With over one million inhabitants, Cologne is the fourth-largest city in
in Germany. Adenau, known as the “town of the Knights of Malta”, is the seat of
the German-Maltese Association and has had a twinning agreement with Mellieha
since 1996.
In Cologne, Ambassador Dr Albert Friggieri,
accompanied by Malta’s Honorary Consul in North Rhine-Westphalia, Professor
Jürgen Wettke, and the President of the German-Maltese Association, Mr
Christian Launer, called on the Lord Mayor of Cologne, Ms. Henriette Reker, at
the city’s Town Hall. After a meeting with the committee of the German-Maltese
Association, the ambassador attended a Maltese evening at the city’s adult
education centre, where he spoke on Malta’s cultural heritage, the economy and
its EU Council Presidency priorities. Historian Dr Michael Losse delivered a
lecture on aspects of Maltese architecture and Maltese-German artist Josanne
Mifsud-Pikutzki exhibited a selection of her colourful and attractive
“Impressions from Malta”.
In Adenau, Mayor Arnold Hoffmann warmly welcomed the
ambassador and the president and members of the German-Maltese Association,
mayors from the province as well as many other guests and friends of Malta who
travelled to the town from different parts of the region for the occasion. Following
an introduction by Mr Christian Launer, in which he thanked all and a
short speech by ambassador Friggieri, historians Dr Dieter Bangert and Dr
Michael Losse spoke on various aspects of Malta’s history. Those present could
then admire artistic and high quality photographs by Mr Peter Blecker in an
exhibition entitled “Malta through the Camera”.
Ambassador Friggieri and the Lord Mayor of Cologne Ms Henriette Reker at
the Cologne City
The 15th century Cologne
City Hall tower on “Malta Day”
The historic
centre of the town of Adenau on “Malta Day”