Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa were the guests of honor at the 682nd Hamburg Matthiae-Mahl banquet in the city hall. The event is one of the oldest diplomatic traditions in Germany, where speeches are delivered in Latin, and the host is the city's mayor, this year Peter Tschentscher. The main theme was the state of democracy and the rule of law. Merkel emphasized the need to build bridges, while Costa spoke about trust.

Banquet Tradition

The Hamburg Matthiae-Mahl has been held since 1356. It is considered the world's oldest diplomatic banquet, where guests dine according to a historical menu and speeches are delivered in Latin. The event serves as a forum for informal political and business meetings.

Honorary Guests and Theme

This year's edition featured Angela Merkel and Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa as guests of honor. The central discussion topic was current challenges to democracy, the rule of law, and social trust in the context of geopolitical tensions and crises.

Political Message

In their speeches, the guests addressed issues of international cooperation. Angela Merkel appealed for seeking compromises and building bridges in a divided world. António Costa emphasized the importance of trust as the foundation of democratic institutions.

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel and incumbent Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa were the main guests of honor at the 682nd Hamburg Matthiae-Mahl banquet, which took place on Thursday in Hamburg's city hall. The event, traditionally hosted by the city's first mayor, this year Peter Tschentscher, is one of the oldest and most prestigious diplomatic traditions in Germany, dating back to 1356. The banquet brings together representatives from politics, business, culture, and diplomacy in an informal atmosphere, with its unique feature being speeches delivered in Latin. This year's edition focused on threats to democracy and the rule of law. In her speech, Angela Merkel emphasized the necessity of dialogue and seeking compromises in the face of growing geopolitical tensions and social polarization. „„Wir brauchen Brücken, auch wenn sie mühsam zu bauen sind.”” — Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel Meanwhile, Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa focused his address on the role of trust as a key element binding societies and legitimizing democratic institutions. „„Vertrauen ist das Fundament, auf dem wir bauen können.”” — Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa The Hamburg Matthiae-Mahl has its roots in the Middle Ages. It was founded in 1356 by the city council in honor of Saint Matthias, the city's patron saint. Over the centuries, it served as a meeting forum for Hanseatic merchants and later diplomats. The tradition of delivering speeches in Latin refers to the universal language of scholars and diplomacy in early modern Europe. The event has survived wars and regime changes, becoming a symbol of continuity and Hamburg's openness to the world. This banquet, described as the world's oldest uninterrupted diplomatic tradition, reflects Hamburg's special role as a trading city and a metropolis with global connections. The participation of Angela Merkel, who has rarely appeared at official events since leaving the chancellorship in 2021, adds extra significance and media attention to the event. The presence of the Portuguese prime minister, in turn, highlights the strong economic ties between Portugal and Germany and Costa's engagement in European Union affairs.

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