Berlin. Mr. Hanns Zellner, Mayor of Wilhemsfeld, led a wreath laying ceremony at the Rizal memorial park in Wilhemsfeld on 21 June 2014 to commemorate the 153rd birth celebration of Dr. Jose Rizal. Joining Mayor Zellner were Prof. Dr. Gerhardt Zeidler, Philippine Honorary Consul General in Stuttgart; First Secretary Adrian Cruz of the Philippine Embassy in Berlin; Mr. Werner H. Filsinger, KCR, Chapter Commander of the Knights of Rizal, Wilhelmsfeld-Heidelberg Chapter; and Mr. Karim-Azar Grajo, KCR, Chapter Commander Marquardt-Stuttgart Chapter.
Following the wreath-laying, Mayor Zellner cited ten students from Christian-Morgenstern Grundschule in Wilhemsfeld, who were awarded the Rizal Prize (Rizal-Preise) in recognition of their camaraderie and good behavior. The honorees received certificates and book vouchers from Mayor Zellner. Another award, the Ullmer Prize, was given to the Mini Handball Department of SC Wilhemsfeld for their efforts to clean and preserve the forests. The award was named after Pastor Karl Ullmer, the Protestant pastor who hosted Dr. Rizal while he stayed in Wilhelmsfeld.
In his speech, Mayor Zellner thanked everyone who took time to be at the wreath laying and awarding event in honor of the memory of Dr. Rizal. The commemoration of Rizal’s birthday is considered as one of the most anticipated events in Wilhemsfeld that helps to nurture the long-standing bonds of friendship and cultural ties forged by our national hero between the Philippines and Germany.
Fellow Knights of Rizal and Ladies for Rizal of the Wilhelmsfeld-Heidelberg and Marquardt-Stuttgart chapters, as well as the local residents of Wilhemsfeld, were on hand to witness the ceremonial event. The celebration served to strengthen the deep commitment and close ties between the Germany-based chapters of the Knights of Rizal and the local government of Wilhemsfeld.
The main attraction of the Rizal Park in Wilhemsfeld is the statue of Dr. Rizal, constructed by Prof. Caedo in Manila, which was shipped from the Philippines in 1978.
After the wreath laying ceremonies, guests were invited to an afternoon merienda and festivities at the Katholischer Gemeindesaal Wilhelmsfeld. (END)
