Everything revolves around the Sail 2015 in Bremerhaven these days. Germany's Federal President Joachim Gauck opened the international windjammer festival - which happens every five years - on Wednesday 12 August. He took part in the "Sail-in" on board the historic polar research vessel Grönland (built in 1867) owned by the German Maritime Museum (Deutsches Schiffahrtsmuseum). AWI director Karin Lochte was a guest of honour.
Germany's Federal President Joachim Gauck is the Sail's Patron and took part in the sail-in parade of the arriving tall ships. The President of the Senate of the Free Hanse City of Bremen Carsten Sieling also came to Bremerhaven to join the opening ceremony together with Bremerhaven's Mayor Melf Grantz. Karin Lochte, the director of the Alfred Wegener Institute, as well as Sunhild Kleingärtner (director of the German Maritime Museum - Deutsches Schiffahrtsmuseum) were invited to take part in the sailing trip as guests of honour. The picture shows the cheerful guests (f.l.t.r.): Melf Grantz, Karin Lochte, Joachim Gauck, Carsten Sieling (in the background), Sunhild Kleingärtner.
The AWI is present with a video screen, showing impressions of scientific work. People who will not be able to attend the Sail 2015, can find some of the video clips in this gallery.