The diversity and intensity of German-Greek relations are reflected by the focuses of the visit – from historical remembrance to political challenges such as migration and sustainability to cooperation in business, science and culture.
On 29 October, the Federal President and Elke Büdenbender visited the site of the future Holocaust Museum of Greece in Thessaloniki, accompanied by Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou. Thereafter, a discussion about the current state of German-Greek relations took place at the Goethe-Institut. In the afternoon, Federal President Steinmeier and Elke Büdenbender traveled to Athens and toured the Boehringer Ingelheim production site there. Later, they visited a studio and discussed with artists from the Athens Biennale.
Federal President Steinmeier met President Sakellaropoulou on 30 October, during which time Elke Büdenbender payed a visit to a vocational school. The Federal President then attended an event celebrating the 150th anniversary of the German Archaeological Institute in Athens and gave a speech there. In the afternoon, he payed a visit to a registration and reception centre for refugees in Malakasa. A cello concert took place in the evening, in addition to a dinner hosted by the Greek President.
On 31 October, Frank-Walter Steinmeier was the first Federal President to travel to Crete, where he visited the town of Kandanos, which was completely destroyed by the Wehrmacht as a reprisal on 3 June 1941 during the early days of the German occupation of the island of Crete. A wreath-laying ceremony, speeches and meetings with eyewitnesses took place.
At the end of their trip, the Federal President and Elke Büdenbender were given insights into projects relating to regenerative agriculture on the island.
Overview of the programme
Tuesday, 29 October
- Early afternoon [CET+1]
Arrival in Thessaloniki, Greece - Thereafter, Holocaust Museum of Greece
Visit to the site of the future museum, accompanied by President of the Hellenic Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou - Afternoon, Goethe-Institut Thessaloniki
Discussion about the current state of German-Greek relations with Thomas Rachel (Member of the German Bundestag), Otto Rehhagel, Georgios Pappas (German Foreign Press Association), Aris Kalaizis (artist), Maria Nastou (German-Greek Youth Office), Vasiliki Frentzou (German Academic Exchange Service) - Thereafter
Flight to Athens - Thereafter, Koropi
Visit to the Boehringer Ingelheim production site - Evening, studio of artist Theo Triantafyllidis
Discussion with representatives from the Athens Biennale
Wednesday, 30 October
- Morning
Wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier - Morning, Presidential Mansion
Welcome with military honours by Katerina Sakellaropoulou, President of the Hellenic Republic, and Pavlos Kotsonis - Thereafter
Talks with the President of the Hellenic Republic - Thereafter, official seat of the Prime Minister
Talks with Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic - Thereafter, Numismatic Museum
Visit to Heinrich Schliemann’s house at today’s Numismatic Museum - Early afternoon, German Archaeological Institute
Speech at the event celebrating the 150th anniversary of the German Archaeological Institute - Afternoon, Malakasa
Visit to the registration and reception centre for refugees - Evening, Kerameikos excavation site
Concert performed by cellist Tanja Tetzlaff - Thereafter, Presidential Mansion
Dinner hosted by Katerina Sakellaropoulou, President of the Hellenic Republic, and Pavlos Kotsonis
Thursday, 31 October
- Morning
Flight to Chania - Morning, Kandanos
Wreath-laying ceremony at the memorial to the victims of the destruction of Kandanos - Early afternoon, Kandanos town hall
Tour of the historical collection on the destruction of Kandanos and meeting with survivors - Thereafter
Speech at a memorial event for the victims of the destruction of Kandanos - Thereafter
Joint luncheon - Afternoon, Kolymbari
Visit to Terra Creta of the TUI Field to Fork Greece project - Thereafter
Discussion with local participants from agriculture and tourism working on the TUI Field to Fork Greece project - Evening
Flight to Berlin
