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June in Pictures
June in Pictures
Drömling designated as 17th German UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
Germany celebrates another achievement in sustainable development with the recognition of the Drömling region as a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Nestled between the federal states of Saxony-Anhalt and Lower Saxony, this beautiful area has now joined the prestigious list of over 700 biosphere reserves worldwide. Designed as exemplary regions for sustainable development, UNESCO biosphere reserves play a crucial role in promoting environmental harmony and serving as models for a brighter future.
Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023
The Special Olympics World Games, the world's largest inclusive sports event, showcases the outstanding athletic abilities of people with intellectual disabilities.
Unlike the Paralympics, which follow the Olympics and feature athletes with physical disabilities, the Special Olympics is specifically dedicated to empowering those with intellectual disabilities. In Berlin, from June 17th to June 25th, over 7,000 athletes from 190 countries participated in 26 sporting disciplines, making it a truly global celebration of inclusivity and sportsmanship.
Notably, the World Games marked Germany's largest multi-sport gathering since the tragic 1972 Olympic Games in Munich.
© SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire
In the multinational Air Defender 23 exercise, 25 nations trained together in joint air operations above the airspace of Europe.
Air Defender 23 was the largest air force deployment exercise in NATO's history. From June 12-23, up to 10,000 exercise participants from 25 nations with 250 aircraft trained air operations in European airspace under the command of the German Air Force.
The goal was to exercise air operations with allied air forces. The focus was on optimizing and expanding cooperation among participating nations. The scenario is modeled on a NATO Article 5 assistance scenario.
The exercise was initiated by Germany in 2018, planned out in subsequent years and took place in June 2023 under German leadership.
© picture alliance/dpa | Boris Roessler
Sorbian girls in the costume of a druzhka come to the Corpus Christi service. The “Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ” is a holiday in Sorbian Lusatia and is celebrated with church services and processions.
From June 17 to 24, the renowned Kiel Week, an event with a rich history dating back to the late 19th century, captivated participants and spectators in Kiel. Widely recognized as one of the world's largest sailing events, the Kiel Week showcased a magnificent display of ships, boats, sailors, and traditional seafarers during the highly anticipated Kieler Woche windjammer parade on the picturesque fjord.
Germany wins the EHF Handball Champions League 2023
The SC Magdeburg was crowned winner of the EHF Handball Champions League 2023 final after beating Kielce 30-29 in extra time at the LANXESS arena in Cologne, Germany on Sunday, June 18. Handball Bundesliga team SC Magdeburg has thus won the EHF Champions League for the second time in its club history. Both Barlinek Kielce and SC Magdeburg, champions in their respective countries, are the cream of the crop of European handball.
The EHF Champions League is the most important club handball competition for men's teams in Europe and involves the leading teams from the top European nations. The EHF Champions League finals were hosted by the German city of Cologne.
© picture alliance/dpa | Marius Becker