October 15, 2021
OTTAWA, Ontario—At the request of the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Their Excellencies the Right Honourable Mary May Simon, Governor General of Canada, and Mr. Whit Grant Fraser will undertake a State visit to the Federal Republic of Germany, from October 17 to October 21, 2021, which will include stops in Berlin and Frankfurt.
The focus of the visit will be to strengthen bilateral relations between Canada and Germany, and to represent Canada at the world’s largest publishing trade show, the Frankfurt Book Fair, at which Canada is this year’s guest of honour.
To promote Canadian diversity and enhance relations with Germany, Their Excellencies will be accompanied by a small delegation: Louise Bernice Halfe—Sky Dancer, Parliamentary Poet Laureate; Lisa Koperqualuk, Vice-President of International Affairs, Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada;
Nik Nanos, Chair of the Executive Committee, Atlantic Brücke Canada; and Kim Thúy, author.
Times are indicated in local time (CEST).
Berlin
Sunday, October 17
8:30 p.m.
Arrival in Berlin
Upon their arrival in the capital, Their Excellencies and the Canadian delegation will be greeted by German and Canadian officials.
Berlin Brandenburg Airport
OPEN TO MEDIA
Berlin
Monday, October 18
9 a.m.
Meeting with the President
The Governor General will meet with His Excellency Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of the Federal Republic of Germany. Upon arrival, Their Excellencies will sign the guest book and be greeted with a welcome ceremony.
Schloss Bellevue
OPEN TO MEDIA — During the arrival, signing of the guest book and the welcome ceremony
2:45 p.m.
Visit to the Humboldt Forum with the President of the Federal Republic of Germany
Their Excellencies and the President of Germany will visit an exhibit at the Humboldt Forum that features Canadian artefacts, including two West Coast Indigenous totem poles. This visit will also provide an opportunity to learn about the Humboldt Forum’s interest in preserving and displaying artefacts in consultation and collaboration with their original owners. This exhibit is scheduled to open to the public in 2022.
The Humboldt Forum opened in 2021, and is a collaboration of four cultural and educational institutions: the Humboldt Forum Foundation; the Culture Project Berlin and the Berlin City Museum; the Ethnological Museum and Asian Art Museum; and the Humboldt University.
Berlin Palace Humboldt Forum
OPEN TO MEDIA— During the signing of a guest book and at the start of the meeting
4 p.m.
Meeting with the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany
In the afternoon, the Governor General will meet with Her Excellency Angela Merkel, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Federal Chancellery
OPEN TO MEDIA — At the arrival
4:35 p.m.
Visit to Brandenburg Gate with the Governing Mayor of Berlin
Their Excellencies will meet Mr. Michael Müller, Governing Mayor of Berlin, at the Brandenburg Gate. Together, they will tour this historical landmark, which today stands as a national symbol of peace and unity.
Brandenburg Gate
OPEN TO MEDIA
5:05 p.m.
Meeting with the Governing Mayor of Berlin
The Governor General will meet with Mr. Michael Müller, Governing Mayor of Berlin. At the beginning of the meeting, Their Excellencies will sign the guest book.
Mayor’s Office
OPEN TO MEDIA — For the signing of the guest book
7 p.m.
State Dinner Hosted by the President of Germany
Their Excellencies and the Canadian delegation will attend a State dinner hosted by the President. The Governor General and the President will deliver remarks on the occasion.
Schloss Bellevue
OPEN TO MEDIA — During the arrival
Berlin
Tuesday, October 19
9 a.m.
Wreath-Laying Ceremony
The Governor General will lay a wreath at the Central Memorial of the Federal Republic of Germany on behalf of Canada to pay respect to the victims of war and tyranny.
Neue Wache
OPEN TO MEDIA
Frankfurt
Tuesday, October 19
1:50 p.m.
Arrival in Frankfurt
Upon their arrival in Frankfurt, Their Excellencies and the Canadian delegation will be greeted by German government representatives.
Frankfurt International Airport
OPEN TO MEDIA
4:55 p.m.
2021 Frankfurt Book Fair Family Photo
Upon arrival at the 2021 Frankfurt Book Fair, Their Excellencies will join representatives from the German government and Frankfurt Book Fair for a group photo.
Steinerer Hall, Frankfurt Fairground
OPEN TO MEDIA
5:00 p.m.
Opening Ceremony of the 2021 Frankfurt Book Fair
The Governor General will deliver remarks at the opening ceremony of the 73rd edition of the Frankfurt Book Fair, at which Canada is this year’s guest of honour. The opening ceremony will also feature Canadian authors Vivek Shraya, Margaret Atwood and Joséphine Bacon (both of whom will be joining the ceremony virtually). There will also be a performance from Inuk opera singer Deantha Edmunds.
The theme of Canada’s Guest of Honour year is “Singular Plurality—Singulier Pluriel,” an expression meant to capture Canada’s culture of diversity, where each of us is unique but connected as a whole both by our differences and by our shared values.
Festhalle, Frankfurt Fairground
OPEN TO MEDIA
6:45 p.m.
Opening of the Canadian Pavilion
Following the Frankfurt Book Fair Opening Ceremony, Their Excellencies and the Canadian delegation will tour the Canadian Pavilion.
The Canadian Pavilion is inspired by the vastness of the country’s regions, and its cultural, linguistic and historical diversity. Highlights of the pavilion include an installation inspired by the Canadian landscape, as well as virtual and interactive content developed to showcase the official literary delegation.
Guest of Honour Pavilion, Frankfurt Fairground
OPEN TO MEDIA
Frankfurt
Wednesday, October 20
9:30 a.m.
Visit to Frankfurt Museum of Archaeology and Round-table Discussion
Their Excellencies and the Canadian delegation will tour the exhibit The Ones we Met—Inuit Traditional Knowledge and the Franklin Expedition at the Frankfurt Museum of Archaeology. This travelling exhibit was developed by the Canadian Museum of History, in collaboration with the Inuit Heritage Trust.
Afterwards, Their Excellencies will participate in a round-table discussion with Dr. Professor Marcus Rex, leader of the MOSAiC polar expedition, who will describe the preliminary findings of the expedition as well as the challenges and opportunities he faced during his year in the Arctic.
Frankfurt Museum of Archaeology
OPEN TO MEDIA — During the tour of the museum
2:00 p.m.
Launch of “20 on 2020” e-book event with His Excellency Whit Fraser
To launch the e-book 20 on 2020, 10 Canadian and 10 German Authors on a Year Like No Other, His Excellency Whit Fraser will moderate a panel discussion featuring two Canadian authors, Kim Thúy and Blaise Ndala, and German author, Simone Buchholz who contributed to the project.
This e-book, which is a collection of essays written by 10 Canadian authors and 10 German authors, presents their experiences and observations on the unforgettable year of 2020, the apogee of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Guest of Honour Pavilion, Frankfurt Fairground
OPEN TO MEDIA
4:11 p.m.
Walking Tour of Canadian Art Installations
Their Excellencies and the Canadian delegation will visit the Canadian cultural installations in the Frankfurt Old Town.
Frankfurt Old Town
OPEN TO MEDIA
8:00 p.m.
Canada Night at the Frankfurt Book Fair
Their Excellencies and the Canadian delegation will attend an evening of Canadian author talks and cultural performances at the Frankfurt Book Fair. The Governor General will deliver remarks on this occasion.
This night will feature performances by Canadian artists Iskwe, Dallas Arcand, Deantha Edmunds and Vivek Shraya; and Canadian authors Margaret Atwood (joining virtually), Kim Thúy, Paul Seesequasis, Michel Jean, Catherine Mavrikakis and Michael Crummey.
Festhalle, Frankfurt Fairground
OPEN TO MEDIA
Related links:
Biography - Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary May Simon
Biography - His Excellency Whit Grant Fraser
Biographies – Delegation
Delegation list
Media information:
Natalie Babin Dufresne
343-548-1865
Natalie.BabinDufresne@gg.ca
Rideau Hall Press Office
343-573-7563
media@gg.ca
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