Dear Members and Friends,
The new freedoms gained after the fall of the Berlin Wall inspired many East Germans to spread their wings and reach out to learn about other countries’ people and cultures. In those early days, invited to visit the United States was Stefan Roehrbein, a language and sociology student born and raised in Leipzig. Among other pioneers were Angelika Schmidt-Lange and Wolfgang Schmidt, who created and defended a compelling case for establishing the solid bond of an official city sister association between Houston and Leipzig.
Those of you who were able to follow our Jan. 22 Zoom meeting about the exciting origins of this unique partnership witnessed a rare and vivid insight into the people, places and actions that developed our sister city association. Despite some obvious differences between these two great cities, their common thread was identified as their people, their friendliness, vision, and can-do attitude. Over the past 30 years, this partnership has blossomed and is still a very active, lively, and stimulating place to learn from and help each other, to enjoy and have fun.
The English write Anthony Burgess stated: “It’s always good to remember where you come from and celebrate it. To remember where you come from is part of where you’re going.” Now is an excellent time to reflect and plan where our association will be going next and how to best develop it over the next several years.
Let me remind you that we continue our monthly program with another big highlight: the Incomparable Impressionism exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts (MFAH) Houston on Feb. 10; please mark your calendars. Dr. Helga Aurisch, the MFAH Curator of European Art will provide another one of her famous guided tours for us then. Displayed will be some 100 significant paintings and works on paper from the renowned Impressionist Collection of the MFA Boston. Advance registration and payment are required; a separate announcement will be sent to you.
Thanks to those who renewed their 2022 membership; for those who haven’t renewed yet, please do it online at htpps://houstonleipzig.org today.
We look forward to seeing you on Feb. 10; best wishes,
Joerg H. Meyer
2022 President