This year's Fourth of July in Berlin will be marked by the opening of the new US Embassy to Germany. After nearly a century of tormented history, the significance of the new building at the heart of the city at the Brandenburg Gate - a location that was chosen unde r Roosevelt in 1930 - can hardly be overstated.
According to the the United States Diplomatic Mission to Germany "the decision of the State Department to return to the historic site on Pariser Platz symbolizes America's support for a reunified Germany and its commitment to a strong transatlantic partnership."
The presence of former US president George Bush Senior and Chancellor Angela Merkel highlights the importance of the event.
On this occasion, the large-scale public open-air festival Amerikafest 2008 under the motto "Welcome Home" will take place around the embassy on July 5th. Besides music and entertainment, a large variety of exhibitors will be present to welcome and inform you. The Federation of German-American Clubs e.V. is the official organiser of the festivities and describes the event as the occasion to discover many aspects of American culture, from politics to sport and entertainment.
The Atlantische Initiative, publisher of atlantic-community.org, will be on Pariser Platz (on the Eastern side of the Brandenburg Gate). Come and visit us on our stand between noon and 6:00 pm! Discover who is behind the website, give us feedback and meet us face to face. Of course, we also welcome online comments, if you cannot make it to Berlin for the Amerikafest.
Press Release from the organizers
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