On 13 and 14 September 2024, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier opened the gates to the park of his official residence, Bellevue Palace, and, together with his wife Elke Büdenbender, invited numerous citizens to the grand summer festival. The Friday was dedicated to honouring voluntary service. Around 4,000 "people from all over Germany who have made outstanding contributions to the common good through their voluntary work" were in attendance.
Nicki Kappelhoff, a member of the advisory board at ElasmOcean (pictured right), was enabled to attend the event by her employer, Thalia Bücher GmbH, in recognition of her voluntary work.
Following an address by the Federal President, which was marked by gratitude and motivation, and an
emotional speech by Kenyan President William Ruto, various events on the main stage alternated with engaging readings on the somewhat smaller stage in the presidential garden, featuring Christoph Biemann (Sendung mit der Maus) and Judith Rakers (Inselreportagen, 3nach9, "Homefarming" podcast, former Tagesschau newsreader), among others. The readings were co-organised by Thalia and the Stiftung Lesen.
Throughout the palace grounds, numerous information stands were set up, ranging from small associations and grassroots initiatives to major organisations and corporations, alongside culinary offerings from sources including the partner federal state of Lower Saxony and the partner country Kenya.
We at ElasmOcean operate entirely on a voluntary basis, without remuneration or expenses, at our own cost and during our personal free time. We do so out of conviction – and are pleased when this is acknowledged. Because we have a message to convey: more protection through knowledge.
