The seal is not only an honor, but also a responsibility

29 May 2026:

“We were in the heart of Europe and had the honor of receiving the European Heritage Label. On the occasion of this unique distinction, it is my great pleasure and honor to welcome you here today at City Hall,” said Mayor Stefan-Oliver Strate as he recently opened the official ceremony marking the award of the label in the main hall of City Hall. Around 150 guests, including representatives from politics and the church, those involved in the application process, and interested citizens, took the opportunity to exchange ideas and network. “The Pader, which gives our city its name, is a vibrant place that shapes everyday life in the city center. The seal we have received is not only an award but also a mandate for us to protect and further develop the interplay between city, people, and river,” Strate emphasized. At the conclusion of his speech, the mayor thanked all project leaders for their tireless work in securing the seal.

Following the mayor’s speech, Bernd Hüttemann, Secretary General of the European Movement Germany, Prof. Dr. Matthias Bauer, President of the University of Paderborn, and Dr. Frank Becker, a member of the Friends of the Pader Association, also addressed the audience. Hüttemann, a native of Paderborn, emphasized in his speech that the seal must serve as a sign that we are looking ahead to ensure the Pader remains accessible and enjoyable. “The Pader represents a source of encounter with democratic responsibility,” he explained, looking toward the future.

University President Bauer also spoke about the significance the Pader River holds for the people of Paderborn and their guests. “The seal also serves as a reminder to use water responsibly. Furthermore, this small river creates a striking link between our natural and cultural heritage,” said Bauer. He emphasized that the close and trusting collaboration between the City of Paderborn and the University had formed the basis for the successful application for the seal.

Dr. Frank Becker, former head of the Office for Environmental Protection and Green Spaces and a member of the association “Friends of the Pader,” addressed the guests from the perspective of the Pader. In his remarks, he reflected on the renaturation of the river landscape and highlighted how the river has been utilized throughout history. He also emphasized that the seal represents a commitment to the thoughtful management of Germany’s shortest river.

The opening remarks were followed by a panel discussion featuring Anne Kersting, a former Paderborn businesswoman and honorary chair of the advertising association; Dr. Alexandra Kurse, a consultant during the application process for the seal; Rainer Steffens, head of the North Rhine-Westphalia State Representation in Brussels; Wolfgang Safer, an artist from Paderborn, and Nils Münker from the Paderborn City Youth Council. They addressed suggestions regarding how to proceed now that the seal has been awarded and what opportunities it presents. Furthermore, they also discussed how Pader connects nature, culture, and art and can literally build bridges.

The afternoon was hosted by German radio journalist Ralph Sina, a former EU correspondent in Brussels. Musical accompaniment for the event was provided by an ensemble of eighth-grade students from the Theodorianum Gymnasium, together with their music teacher Imke Röder. The afternoon was rounded off with a guided tour of the Pader led by EKS program directors Brigitte Zacharias and Dr. Michael Ströhmer.

Image information: Presenting the European Heritage Label (EHL) during the ceremony at City Hall: (from left) Program Director Brigitte Zacharias, Deputy Mayor for Technical Affairs Claudia Warnecke, Mayor Stefan-Oliver Strate, University President Prof. Dr. Matthias Bauer, Dr. Frank Becker (members of the “Friends of the Pader” association), Program Assistant Ludmila Ngoma, Bernd Hüttemann (Secretary General of the European Movement Germany), and Program Director Dr. Michael Ströhmer.