President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa is scheduled to arrive in Berlin on Thursday at 4 PM (3 PM Lisbon time). However, the official agenda in Germany begins on Friday at 11 AM with a meeting with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at Bellevue Palace, his official residence.
Rebelo de Sousa will be welcomed at the palace with an official ceremony, including national anthems, an inspection of the troops, and a salute to the flag, followed by a bilateral meeting with Steinmeier.
After the meeting, Rebelo de Sousa plans to dine at a Portuguese restaurant before attending the Bürgerfest (Citizen’s Festival) with his German counterpart at 4:40 PM. This two-day festival, held at Bellevue Palace, features Portugal as the guest country.
The festival aims to “honor volunteer work and promote civic engagement,” according to a statement released today on the official website of the Portuguese Presidency.
The Portuguese embassy in Germany confirmed that Portugal will focus its stands on topics such as the sea, culture, national cuisine, and football, with one stand showcasing the Nations League trophy won by the national team in June.
During his visit to the Bürgerfest, Rebelo de Sousa will deliver a speech at the opening ceremony and participate in a debate with German First Lady Elke Büdenbender and Rector of the Catholic University Isabel Capeloa Gil on how to inspire hope among children in times of crisis.
To conclude his visit to the Bürgerfest, Rebelo de Sousa will attend concerts by the Portuguese band Black Mamba and the German country rock band The BossHoss.
On Saturday, the President will depart for Lisbon at 11 AM with no further scheduled events in Berlin.
Rebelo de Sousa last visited Germany from June 7 to 8 during the June 10 celebrations, where he, along with Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, met with the Portuguese community in Stuttgart.
During that short trip, the President also visited Munich, where he and Luís Montenegro watched the national team’s victory against Spain in the Nations League final.
