The Federal President canceled his public festival on Friday evening because of the heavy thunderstorm, “the doctors gave up,” said Markus Voigt about the band’s canceled performance at Tempelhofer Feld. But his association of Berlin merchants and industrialists (VBKI) improvised, had the tables and stage carried to a hall on the Euref campus in Schöneberg and went through with his planned summer party. Around 800 members and guests were able to meet in person on a large scale for the first time since 2019.
Voigt said the past two years have been difficult for the club – especially with regard to social activities. He regretted that these were generally less well known than the association’s positions on economic issues. The VBKI is also committed to helping refugees from Ukraine. The VBKI wants to auction a pair of boxing gloves signed by the two Klitschko brothers at its “Auction Gala” in October.
Building Senator Andreas Geisel (SPD) spoke for the Berlin Senate on stage with a view to the war in Ukraine – after two and a half years of a pandemic. “It will shake us up again and maybe hit us harder than we all hope together. But I’m sure: the heart of the city beats”.
The senator said that the Euref campus, where the VBKI celebrated its summer party for the second time, was a particularly good example of successful urban planning. Reinhard Müller, who has been developing the project for years, has not always received the necessary political support. He is impressed by Müller’s life motto “My hope is greater than my fear”. Berlin has a good chance of getting through the crisis better than other regions or cities.
Campus boss Müller welcomed the guests and was particularly proud that this is the only place in Germany that is completely CO2-neutral and has already achieved the specified climate goals. The outgoing VBKI Managing Director Claudia Große-Leege received applause and recognition for her commitment over the past two years, and her designated successor Ute Weiland was warmly welcomed.
Star chef Thomas Kammeier and top chef Cornelia Poletto provided the buffet, “DJ Dezibelle” and the live bands “Moon Glow” and “Lasca Fox Mobil” made music. There was dancing and partying late into the night. There was also a swimming pool. Hosts Voigt and Müller allegedly wanted to jump in for a good cause – but apparently it was too wet for them.
