International Spring Jamboree 2009 of Modern American Square Dance Clubs
Berlin, March 14, 2009
Chargé d’Affaires John M. Koenig

Ich freue mich sehr, Square Dancers aus Deutschland und vielen anderen Ländern auf dem achten International Spring Jamboree in Berlin willkommen zu heißen. 

It is a great pleasure to welcome square dancers from Germany and many other European countries to Berlin for the eighth International Spring Jamboree.  The last time I was involved in any square dancing activity was in my school days.  Square dancing was a just a part of growing up in America – something we took for granted.   The fact, however, that a jamboree of this size and scale could take place here in Berlin – so very far away from where I grew up – is truly amazing.  Congratulations and thank you to each and every one of you for your contribution to such a wonderful program.

In diesem Jahr feiert die Bundesrepublik Deutschland den sechzigsten Jahrestag ihres Bestehens. Seit 60 Jahren gibt es auch den Square Dance in Europa.  1949 wandten sich amerikanische Militärangehörige den Deutschen zu und luden sie zu Square Dances ein. Außerdem begeht Deutschland den zwanzigsten Jahrestag des Mauerfalls. Square Dance gilt seit der Wende im Ausland wieder als Zeichen für amerikanische Freundschaft. Damals wurden in den neuen Ländern neue Clubs eröffnet.

One of America’s most successful exports is its popular culture but square dancing stands out because of its homespun simplicity and its emphasis on cooperation and working together as a group.  From their small beginnings as individual cultural activities in a post-war Germany struggling to recover from a devastating war, square dancing clubs have become true symbols of the deep bonds of transatlantic friendship that have developed in the past sixty years. 

Wir alle hier wissen, der Leitsatz des Square Dance lautet: “Square Dance ist in Musik umgesetzte Freundschaft.” 

“Friendship sent to music”– the motto of the European Association of American Square Dancing Clubs could not be more appropriate. The many hours that you contribute to organizing and participating in your clubs’ activities make you all wonderful ambassadors of good will.

As I said the last time I square danced was in high school.  Nevertheless if you are willing to have us, Natalie and I would be honored to join your Grand March.