Hamburg/Kyiv – They were words from the abyss of a cruel war – “We will never forget your friendship.”
Spoken by Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko (50), addressed to all Hamburgers.
Together with his Hanseatic colleague Peter Tschentscher (56, SPD), the former boxing champion signed the first strategic partnership between a German metropolis and the Ukrainian capital on Sunday.
It should be a pact between friends. And a sign against Putin’s perfidious war of aggression against the country.
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Hamburg Mayor Peter Tschentscher (56, SPD) presents the signed pact
Klitschko in his office in Kyiv, Tschentscher in the Kaisersaal of the town hall. Connected via the Internet. Tschentscher: “Vitali, can you hear us? How are you?”
Klitschko looks tired, exhausted. What he says is terrible: new mass graves in the Bucha suburb, rockets in Odessa, bombed-out houses in Kyiv. “It is a tragedy for all of Europe. A Europe we belong to.”
And further: “This initiative, this pact is important. It’s about life and death.”
The Hamburg economy is ready, assures Chamber of Commerce President Norbert Aust (79). Six companies are already part of the new partner pact, including Budni, Rewe and Haspa. They all collect, donate, deliver – even trail mix and much-needed water in plastic bottles.
Mayor Tschentscher summarizes: “Vitali, we will help you now and also with the reconstruction.”
Klitschko: “Thank you. I thank Hamburg – my second hometown.”
Hamburg Ballet School accepts Ukrainian children
Hamburg – Art can also be home.
The ballet school of star choreographer John Neumeier (83) accepted ten Ukrainian children (6 to 13). Others could follow, financed by the Hamburg Ballet Friends Association.
Some of the children live in the boarding school attached to the school. Like Masha (13) from Kyiv. Her parents and brother traveled on to Spain. Masha: “Only here is there such a good ballet school. That’s why I really wanted to stay here.”
The Neumeier Institute trains 146 students from 33 nations on Caspar-Vogt-Strasse.
Advantage: the language of ballet is the same all over the world – French.