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"Europe in Osnabrück" The City of Peace was a Hansa City
26th International Hansa Convention in Osnabrück
Greetings
Seas are situated between continents and people. At all times they seperated and founded alliances at the same time. This is also the case with the Baltic Sea and its named after cooperation of adjoining states. For here we are united, despite of all manyfoldness and diversity, by communally shared traditions. As the Ministerial President of the Federal Country of Schleswig-Holstein I am aware: A close collaboration around the regions of the Baltic Sea will give us the chance to stand the competition in a greater Europe.
Like many other countries and cities, the people of Schleswig-Holstein continue to follow the idea of the Hanseatic League. For us, the hanseatic tradition has always been alive and a guide for the future. Therefore Lübeck is, once beeing the head of the Hanseatic League, today the biggest german harbour of the Baltic Sea – also obliged to the Baltic-Sea-Cooperation. The region around the Baltic Sea characters and structures economical relations as well as political, social and cultural contacts. The point is, that a tighter collaboration of neighbouring regions, around the North Sea and the regions around the Barent Sea, will strengthen the position of Northern Europe in an expanding Europe. This aim is a firm element of my politics – pursued in the cities of Kiel and Berlin.
The International Hansa Convention of Modern Times also reflects the newly founded community. It was refoundet in 1980 in the city of Zwolle and demonstrates with its yearly changing locations in northern and eastern Europe, that the old hanseatic partnerships are still intact. Besides, Osnabrück is – as a city that joined the Hanseatic League in 1447, known as the "City of the Westphalien Peace Treaty of 1648" - a special location in German and European history. Osnabrück’s past unites the climax of the hanseatic area with Europe’s reorganization after the Thirty-Years-War.
Willingness to take a risk, partnership, reliability and optimism were supporting elements of the Hanseatic League. If we pay more attention again to those hanseatic values – upholded by selfconcious regions – we can lead through Europe‘s present state of sociological and political stagnation.
I would like to encourage especially the young people, that have come to Osnabrück: Trust in your own efficiency, be open for new ideas and be ready for an exchange with other countries and cultures! Rediscover the spirit of the Hanseatic League, devoted to a boundless friendship, and carry it to the future!
Peter Harry Carstensen
The President of the Federal Council of Germany
Patron of the 26.th International Hansa Convention
 Osnabrück is expecting more than 3.000 international guests from 163 Hansa Cities to come to the 26th International Hansa Convention from 15th to 18th June. We are looking forward to being able to celebrate the 650th Anniversary of the Hanseatic League during the convention, together with the people of Osnabrück, visitors from the region and our guests from 15 countries in Europe.
At the 26th International Hansa Convention in Osnabrück, modern-day Europe will encounter its own history. Guests from all of the countries which belonged to the historical Hanseatic League have already confirmed they will be attending, which is why we have decided to give the festival the theme "Europe in Osnabrück".
The importance of Osnabrück for the historic Hanseatic League is underlined by the fact that, amongst other things, it is the chosen location for the 650th anniversary celebrations. The 26th International Hansa Convention provides Osnabrück, as host city, the opportunity to present itself to the wide array of visitors with an extensive cultural programme. The entire old part of the city will become a stage for the numerous artists and musicians– stretching from the "Felix Nussbaum Haus" Museum, built by Daniel Libeskind, to the theatre, the "Dominikanerkirche" Art Gallery with its worldwide survey of media art, the cathedral and the market square. More than 100 cities will present regional specialties at the Hansa Market. The historical Hansa Market on the banks of the River Hase will portray the culture and everyday life of a Hansa City during the middle ages.
I am convinced that Osnabrück, as City of Peace and former Hansa City, is an excellent setting for the 26th International Hansa Convention. An attractive programme of events will be offered to guests and visitors, to ensure that they will return home with fond memories of Osnabrück.
Hans-Jürgen Fip
Former Lord Mayor of Osnabrück
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