Steuben Parade and German American Fest Celebrated in Chicago

Sep 16, 2009

Steuben Parade 2009
Enlarge image
(© Elisabeth Weck)

The Tradition lives on...  Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, Alderman Gene Schulter and German Consul General Onno Hückmann were among the  honorary guests at the 2009 Steuben Parade in Chicago. More than 68 floats, marching bands and German-heritage clubs made their way through the Lincoln Square neighborhood, the heart of Chicago's German-American Community.  


The parade celebrates Baron Friedrich von Steuben, who - offering his services to General George Washington as a volunteer - converted the revolutionary army into a disciplined fighting force, instilling in them much needed inspiration, confidence and competence. 


Steuben Parade 2009
Enlarge image
(© Elisabeth Weck)

The Parade was the highlight of a three-day celebration of German culture and heritage. At Lincoln Plaza, thousands enjoyed music, traditional food, beverages and German gemütlichkeit.

German-Americans comprise the largest ethnic group in the United States: more than 51 million Americans claim German ancestry. This represents almost 17 percent of the population.   



Read Consul General Onno Hückmann's remarks at the German-American Day reception on Sept. 8, 2009:

Mayor Daley,

Alderman Schulter,

President Himmel,

Dear German-Americans, dear Americans, liebe Landsleute,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentleman,

I feel honored to be invited by the Mayor of this beautiful city on the occasion of the German American Day and to talk to you.

 

I have only been here for about five weeks, but I have already realized how open Chicago is towards the Germans and how much the Chicagoans are interested in our culture. This impresses me and makes me very happy.

 

We are all looking forward to the German American Fest and the Steuben Parade. In the next few days all of us will have the opportunity to explore the diversity of customs and traditions of the German-Americans here. We will celebrate together in a very German way – which promises great enjoyment and German “Gemütlichkeit”.

 

Furthermore I would like to talk to you about two topics which are important for the German community in Chicago and the Midwest.

 

First, I will call your attention to a subject which is of personal interest to me: the German School Chicago.

I am happy that I can stand here today and tell you that the German School Chicago has become a reality and will open on September 15, 2009 with a first pre-school class.

 

Also I would like to point out an event which is of particular interest for all of us. This year, it will be 20 years since the Fall of the Berlin Wall.

 

Twenty-five years ago I was the Cultural Attaché at the then West-German Embassy in Bucharest, Romania. There I learned how important freedom is. When I walked through the streets of Bucharest, I was shadowed. When I drove, I was followed by a security police car. My telephone was tapped. They even broke into my home. Since then I know what a privilege it is to be able to express your thoughts freely and to travel whenever and wherever you want.

 

Today, I want to emphasize that whatever happens on the big stage of politics between the two countries, it is always the people who uphold the good relations on a different level. Any partnership between countries cannot work without the people who bring their heritage and their memories to the foreign country and who uphold their cultural identity.

I honestly believe that the relations between Germany and the United States do not only need the dialogue of politicians and diplomats. The good relationship between our countries is to a large extend shaped by cultural unions, societies, schools and universities. It is the people who build the transatlantic bridges that guarantee a good basis for any relationship. You are the true ambassadors of your countries.

 

We politicians and diplomats need you. We need you to build and strengthen friendship and mutual understanding. It is you who fill the bonds between our countries with life, especially for the next generations.

 

Let me conclude by congratulating the organizers, the musicians and the participants on this special event and of course Mayor Daley for his continuous and strong support of the German-American community in Chicago and the Midwest. Let us enjoy the Fest and the Parade.

 

Thank you for your kind attention.

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