North Rhine-Westphalia Premier Hendrik Wüst (CDU) visited the parents of identical triplets at a hospital in Bielefeld on Thursday. During his tour of the Ostwestfalen-Lippe region, the state premier also learned about various scientific, economic and social projects. He also took honorary guardianship of the newborn triplets. As part of his visit, he also visited the headquarters of the Ehrlich Brothers, well-known German illusionists.

Honorary guardianship of triplets

Premier Hendrik Wüst took honorary guardianship of identical triplets born on February 16 in Bielefeld. Parents Mara and Max de Boer became parents of three children last week. The premier called their birth "a very special joy and at the same time a great task for the whole family."

Visit to Bethel Hospital

One of the premier's stops was the Evangelical Bethel Hospital in Bielefeld, where the social project "Gemeinsam wachsen. Zusammen WIRken" (Growing Together. Creating Together) is being implemented. The facility is known for its integration and social support activities.

Economic and scientific meetings

Wüst also visited the University of Paderborn and the experimental facilities of Dr. Oetker in Bielefeld. The visit aimed to learn about scientific and economic projects in the Ostwestfalen region.

Visit to illusionists

The premier visited the headquarters of the Ehrlich Brothers in Bünde. The Ehrlich Brothers are well-known German illusionists and showmen whose performances have been featured on television programs.

North Rhine-Westphalia Premier Hendrik Wüst of the CDU spent Thursday touring the Ostwestfalen-Lippe region. The main purpose of the visit was to learn about local scientific, economic and social projects. Wüst visited the University of Paderborn, where he spoke with representatives of the academic community. He then traveled to Bielefeld, where he toured the experimental facilities of Dr. Oetker, a well-known German food manufacturer.

The next item on the agenda was a visit to the Evangelical Bethel Hospital, where the social project "Gemeinsam wachsen. Zusammen WIRken" (Growing Together. Creating Together) is being implemented. This facility is an important healthcare and social center in the region. The premier then traveled to Bünde, where he visited the headquarters of the Ehrlich Brothers, popular German illusionists.

The most personal element of the trip, however, was the visit to the hospital in Bielefeld, where the premier met the de Boer family. Mara and Max de Boer became parents of identical triplets on February 16. Wüst took honorary guardianship of the children, which is a symbolic gesture of support from politicians in Germany. „Die Geburt von Drillingen ist ein ganz besonderes Glück und zugleich eine große Aufgabe für die ganze Familie.” — Hendrik Wüst Such visits are part of the proximity politics practiced by many German politicians.

Honorary guardianship (German: Ehrenpatenschaft) of newborn children, especially twins or triplets, is a tradition in Germany dating back several decades. Politicians, mayors or other public figures symbolically take guardianship of children, which is meant to express social recognition for the parents and emphasize the importance of family. This gesture does not involve any legal or financial obligations; it is purely symbolic and representative. Premier Wüst's visit also fits into the broader context of his activities as head of government of Germany's most populous state. The Ostwestfalen-Lippe region is an important economic and scientific center, and such visits serve to maintain contacts with local communities and businesses.

Mentioned People

  • Hendrik Wüst — Premier of North Rhine-Westphalia from the CDU party
  • Mara de Boer — Mother of identical triplets who gave birth on February 16
  • Max de Boer — Father of identical triplets born on February 16