Brigadier General Hammerstein becomes patron of the Pasewalker 775th anniversary!

Brigadier General Hammerstein becomes patron of the Pasewalker 775th anniversary!

Pasewalk is preparing for an important event: the city's 775th anniversary in 2026. Brigadier General Ralf Peter Hammerstein, commander of the Panzergrenadierbrigade 41 Vorpommern, is taking over the patronage of planning this anniversary. The approval for this was decided in a non-public meeting of city representatives led by Mayor Danny Rodewald (independent). [Nordkurier] reports that the idea for patronage was launched in the spring and was originally also considered by SPD Science Minister Bettina Martin. While the planning committee finally decided to invite Martin, the CDU city representative group came forward and demanded her resignation because there was no resolution in the city council or the culture committee. Bettina Martin described the patronage as an honor, but decided not to compete; She still offers her support in the preparations.

The anniversary itself will be not only a celebration, but also an exciting opportunity for urban development. There are numerous events and campaigns that are scheduled to take place over the course of a whole year and are already being integrated into existing formats. These include aspects such as the Hanseatic League, the Prussian era, industrialization and European perspectives. A citizens' workshop on March 20, 2025 in the Pommernsaal will provide a platform for all citizens to get actively involved and develop their own ideas for helping to shape the anniversary. This is in line with the view of Christoph Thoma, who emphasizes that city anniversaries can be catalysts for future-oriented urban development [Culture Lab].

Festschrift and citizen participation

A highlight will be the commemorative publication entitled “My Story with Pasewalk – Memories of Pasewalk”, for which citizens are cordially invited to submit their personal stories and photos. This not only promotes the connection between residents and their city, but also represents a valuable collection of the city's history. The anniversary calendar will summarize all events and make them publicly available so that everyone has the opportunity to take part in the celebrations. The city administration is also planning permanent activities such as special exhibitions and selfie stations to offer citizens an interactive experience [Pasewalk.de].

Overall, it is clear that the 775th anniversary is not just a look back at history, but also represents a significant opportunity to redefine the city's identity and strengthen the community. With clear structures, active citizen participation and a well-thought-out communication approach, Pasewalk has everything it takes to make this celebration an unforgettable experience for everyone. City anniversaries not only offer an opportunity to celebrate, but can also leave a lasting mark [Culture Lab].