Charlotte—The N.C. Zeitgeist Foundation hosted its annual white asparagus dinner at the Charlotte City Club on June 6, 2019. More than eighty guests enjoyed the champagne reception and an exquisite 3-course white asparagus meal. The highlight of the evening was this year’s keynote speaker, Sven Afhüppe, the editor-in-chief of Handelsblatt and co-author of the recently published book “Europa kann es besser.”

Mr. Afhüppe, who specially came from Germany to join the event, addressed in his speech current challenges of Germany and the European Union, Brexit and the transatlantic relations between Germany and the United States.

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A special thank-you to Sven Afhüppe and all our guests!

February 15, 2019—At the invitation of Klaus Becker, German Honorary Consul and Chairman of The N.C. Zeitgeist Foundation, and in cooperation with the German Embassy in Washington, Annette Schavan, former German Ambassador to the Holy See and former Federal Minister of Education and Research, paid a multi-day visit to Charlotte. 
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The highlights of her diversified program included a guest lecture at UNCC titled “Engaging Students to be Catalysts for Innovation,” a dinner reception and round table discussion with representatives of the German business community located in the Charlotte region, as well as a presentation on “The Arts of Politics of Pope Francis” held at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church. Mrs. Schavan’s profound passion for accessible education combined with her global vision of the role of today’s Christianity generates synergies that make her an impressive advocate for change and improvement on many levels of human life. Throughout her busy itinerary, the Charlottean audience enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about her perspectives on the discussed topics.

​The N.C. Zeitgeist Foundation thanks its program sponsors—The American Council on Germany, Groninger USA and Parker Poe.

​From left to right: Philip Dubois, UNCC Chancellor; Annette Schavan; Klaus Becker; Rick Tankersley, Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development. Photo by Brandon Scott.

Greenville, SC—German Honorary Consul for North Carolina and Chairman of the N.C. Zeitgeist Foundation, Klaus Becker, attended the New Year’s Reception of the S.C. Chapter of the German American Chamber of Commerce on January, 17 at the facilities of Serendipity Labs Greenville—Plush Mills. Becker informed the audience on the passport services the Honorary Consulate in Charlotte provides for all of the Carolinas and briefly talked on the mission of the N.C. Zeitgeist Foundation and its goals for 2019.

For more information on passport services of the German Honorary Consulate, please contact Britta Drahola or Nadine Voelkel at 704-364-6969.

​From left to right: Lori Starcher, GACC Customer Relationship Manager Carolinas; Mike McNamara; partner at GreerWalker, Klaus Becker, Gunda Knese, director at GreerWalker and president of the N.C. Zeitgeist Foundation,  Barry Leasure, partner at GreerWalker and event sponsor.

​Charlotte, December 14, 2019—The N.C. Zeitgeist Foundation hosted a German-themed Christmas party at Mickey & Mooch at Arboretum.  More than eighty guests, including 16 different nationalities, attended the event. The Christmas decoration, held in a black, red and gold color scheme, and several posters were kindly provided by the German Embassy. The event included a three-course dinner and musical entertainment by master-saxophonist Bobby Ryder who as an old crooner played songs from the sixties and seventies.