German delegation in Lawrence to celebrate 25th anniversary of Sister Cities program

Get ready for a German party that goes well beyond the fare of a traditional Oktoberfest.

A delegation of about 20 leaders from Eutin, Germany, will be in Lawrence this week to take part in festivities ranging from the arts and culture to banquets to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Eutin and Lawrence’s Sister Cities relationship.

Lawrence leaders have a host of events planned. They include:

• A special art exhibition by renowned German artist Frauke Klatt at the Cider Gallery, 810 Pennsylvania St. Klatt will be on hand at 5:30 p.m. Friday to deliver a lecture about the works.

• A concert by Kansas University music students at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Hall Center for the Humanities, 900 Sunnyside Drive.

• An exhibit at the Lawrence Public Library that highlights the role German citizens have played in the history of Lawrence. The exhibit was created by Martin Vollertsen, a former Eutin police chief who now serves as the president of the Friends of Lawrence group.

• A reception and country-style dinner at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Circle S Ranch in rural Lawrence. The reception is open to the public, but reservations are required and a $50-per-person fee will be charged. Reservations can be made at 785-331-5561.

In addition to the German delegation, about a dozen high school students are in Lawrence as part of an annual exchange program between the two cities. A small delegation of Lawrence officials, led by Mayor Mike Amyx, travelled to Eutin this summer for a series of events there to mark the 25th anniversary.

Amyx said the 25-year anniversary celebrations have served as a good reminder of the number of friendships and bonds that have been formed between the cities.

“It is a special friendship,” Amyx said. “The whole trip was just very special. I encourage anyone who can go to go because it is a special place.”

Eutin, a city of about 17,500 in northern Germany, became Lawrence’s first Sister City in 1989. The city now has Sister City relationships with Hiratsuka, Japan, and Iniades, Greece. In Lawrence, the Sister Cities program receives about $7,500 a year from the city to operate, but most of the group’s funding comes from private donations and membership dues.