A moving moment, not only for the "new" citizens, but also for Lord Mayor Frank Klingebiel, Council Chairman Michael Letter (SPD), Council members Günter Karl-Heinz Gehmert (Free Voters), Hermann Fleischer (Die Linke), Ercan Kilic (FDP), First City Councillor Eric Neiseke and the administrative staff present.

Acquiring German citizenship is more than a formality, it is a conscious decision after an often rocky road. Klingebiel: "This path led you to Germany, a country whose language and culture were initially foreign to you. But with determination, patience and commitment, you settled in step by step, learned the language, made new friends and began to become part of our society. You have overcome these challenges and made the decision to take German citizenship. This decision shows your attachment to our country, to our city and is a commitment to our values.

It is a strong sign of belonging and togetherness. Germany is a diverse society, characterized by a long history and by people of different origins and cultures. This diversity is our strength. You, who stand here today and accept German citizenship, enrich our country, our city and our community."

Mayor Frank Klingebiel conferred German citizenship on a total of 60 women and men. The personal stories and reasons for taking this step are as varied as the countries of origin. The majority of the naturalized citizens come from Syria, some from Turkey, Russia, Lebanon, Great Britain, Iran, Serbia and European Union countries.