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Through the Lens: the Month of May
Zelenskyy met Chancellor Olaf Scholz, © Matthias Schrader/AP Photo/picture alliance
May was a month of remarkable events in Germany. From the Ukrainian President's visit to Berlin, a significant moment in the midst of Russia's ongoing war of aggression, to the awarding of the esteemed International Charlemagne Prize to him and the Ukrainian people.
The awarding of the prestigious Helmut Schmidt Future Prize to outgoing Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin was also an event of great significance.
And last but not least, the thrilling final between Canada and Germany at the 2023 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship added to the excitement.
See the remarkable events for yourself!
The Ukrainian President has made his first trip to Germany since Russia launched its invasion. Zelenskyy met Chancellor Olaf Scholz and received the International Charlemagne Prize in Aachen. For security reasons the visit was kept secret.
Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy, alongside the Ukrainian people, received the highly esteemed International Charlemagne Prize in Aachen, Germany, on May 14, 2023. This prestigious recognition acknowledges their outstanding contributions in promoting European unity, reflecting their resolute commitment and significant impact in fostering a more cohesive Europe.
When Germany is at its most beautiful: in April and May, the trees bloom, and the yellow rapeseed fields come to life. 🌿🌼
It's a sight to behold - walking through a sea of yellow flowers that stretches as far as the eye can see. It's almost as if you've booked two suns for the price of one! 💛💚
The Leipzig Book Fair is back, along with Manga-Comic-Con and the reading festival Leipzig liest (Leipzig reads). Due to the concurrent Comic Con, the Leipzig Book Fair is traditionally also a meeting place for cosplayers and manga fans, and thus definitely a visual enrichment for all visitors! Here you can see Ganondorf and Link from the video game series “The Legend of Zelda” by the Japanese company Nintendo.
Poet, theater maker, editor and publisher Dinçer Güçyeter wins the Leipzig Book Fair Fiction Prize for his novel “Unser Deutschlandmärchen ”.
© picture alliance/dpa | Hendrik Schmidt
The Finnish social democrat and outgoing Prime Minister of Finland Sanna Marin is the recipient of this year's Helmut Schmidt Future Prize (Helmut-Schmidt-Zukunftspreis), which was awarded by the weekly newspaper Die Zeit, the Helmut Schmidt Foundation, and The New Institute on May 4th, 2023 at the Thalia Theater in Hamburg. Since 2022, the award has recognized innovative achievements in the areas of democracy, society, and technology.
Congratulations to the Canadian Ice Hockey Team on their gold medal victory in the 2023 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championships! What a fantastic game it was – sadly Team Germany had to be satisfied with the silver medal. But what an achievement and outstanding performance by our fellow Germans, having kicked out the U.S. team in the semi-finals!! So remarkable since our last World Championshhip medal dates back to 1953!
Canada of course once again showcased their dominance in ice hockey and solidified their reputation as a powerhouse in the sport.
We can both be proud of our teams!