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Embassy Spokesman Sante, center right, speaks as his colleagues look on: from left Deputy Spokesman Enrico Brandt, media analyst Ben Williams, webmaster Clayton Nickel, Spanish editor Carlos Brezina, English editor Tanya Jones, Germany.info Managing Editor Silvana Reimann, and Second Secretary Barbara Stiem.

(© German Embassy)

German and American journalists and public information professionals from Washington, DC, gathered at the German Embassy Thursday night for what has become an annual spring tradition, the Media Mayfest, hosted by the Press Office under the patronage of Ambassador Klaus Scharioth.

With warm weather finally in town, the mood was upbeat and festive as the members of the Press Office mingled in the relaxed atmosphere with the members of the media with whom they work on a daily basis.

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Christoph von Marschall (Tagesspiegel) bids farewell to Ulrich Sante on behalf of his journalist colleagues

(© German Embassy)

Embassy Spokesman Ulrich Sante welcomed the guests in the spirit of “Zeitgeist,” the theme of the night. “In my time in Washington, I have developed the highest esteem for journalists here, both American and German, who in trying economic times for the news industry still manage to produce outstanding coverage that conveys the compelling political times in which we live.” Sante also highlighted the importance of this outstanding reporting in infusing the transatlantic relationship on both sides with openness and understanding.

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Matthias Klause, the new spokesperson, will take over in July

(© German Embassy)

After introducing the Press Office team, Sante took the opportunity to announce his transfer back to Berlin and to introduce his successor, Matthias Klause, who will be taking over later in the summer. In the meantime, Deputy Spokesman Enrico Brandt will be heading up the Press Office. Two other team members are also being transferred to Berlin this summer, Germany.info Managing Editor Silvana Reimann and Second Secretary Barbara Stiem. With these imminent departures and some among the press corps as well,  the Mayfest was also an opportunity to say farewell and bon voyage to colleagues.

The Mayfest theme this year was “Zeitgeist,” the focus of the Press Office’s current interactive campaign, and everything from the slideshow of entries in the “Zeitgeist is German” Spot the Bus contest running on www.Germany.info to the orange and green balloons to the napkins related to the theme. The sounds of swing band Park Avenue provided the perfect jazzy musical backdrop.