The festival will see Kenya become the first non-European country to participate in the “Bürgerfest” festival
President William Ruto will on the evening of Thursday, September 12 fly out of the country for a two-day visit to Germany, where he is expected to grace the upcoming Germany Annual Citizen Festival.
The festival, which the East African country is banking on to reinforce cultural ties and boost tourism as well as trade and investment opportunities, will see Kenya become the first non-European country to participate in the “Bürgerfest” festival which is scheduled for September 13-14 in Berlin, Germany.
“President Ruto will attend and address this year’s prestigious Citizen’s Festival, themed “Pamoja – Stronger Together.” Kenya has been honoured as the profile partner country, making it the first time a non-European country has been selected to partner with Germany for the festival,” State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed in a statement announced.
“This partnership offers a unique platform to showcase Kenya’s rich cultural heritage to the German public. Cultural exchange has been the cornerstone of our connection, with institutions like the Goethe-Institut in Nairobi playing a crucial role in promoting German culture in Kenya since 1963.”
Photo of the Citizen’s Festival in 2023. /PNP.DE
The Citizen’s Festival will significantly raise the visibility of Kenyan culture in Germany, fostering greater appreciation and understanding while promoting tourism and cultural exchanges.
In the last financial year, Kenya attracted 81,359 German tourists compared to 66,064 in the previous year marking a 23.2 percent growth, with the festival therefore presenting an opportunity to further grow German tourist arrivals in the country.
Earlier this month, the State Department for Foreign Affairs had confirmed Kenya’s co-hosting of the Annual Citizen Festival, noting that the event is hosted by the German Presidency every year to celebrate cultural diversity between the Western European country and a partner nation of their choosing.
“During the Festival, Kenya will market and display its unique culture, including food, music, artefacts, tea, coffee, nuts, and apparel. Join us in celebrating this milestone aimed at bridging cultural gaps; fostering understanding; marketing Kenya as a tourist destination and promoting trade and investment,” the ministry revealed at the time.
The festival will be held over the aforementioned two days at the German President’s residence on Schloss Bellevue in Berlin from 8 am to 8 pm.
Germany is a leading foreign direct investor given the presence of over 100 German companies in the country, with investments worth Ksh150 billion. Nairobi alone hosts the largest office globally for the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) and the regional office of Germany’s top trade promotion agency, AHK.
Over the course of the event, President Ruto will witness the signing of the Kenya-Germany Agreement on ‘Comprehensive Migration and Mobility Partnership’, which establishes a framework for cooperation on labour mobility, apprenticeships, student training, employment, and the welfare of employees, as well as for the readmission and return of citizens.
President Ruto will also hold bilateral discussions with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
“These meetings will focus on deepening cooperation on areas of mutual interest including green energy and climate action; digital cooperation; trade and investment; skills development and labour; and regional and international peace and security,” Mohamed added.
Ruto will also engage with leading German business figures during a special forum aimed at enhancing trade and investment opportunities between Kenya and Germany, with the CEOs of major companies such as Mercedes Benz, YouTube, and AIDA Cruises expected to participate in the forum.
