Whether United Nations or global corporation, university or global city network - they all hire professionals from around the world, who are often only for a limited period in Bonn, the so-called "expatriates". The BonnExpat series of events specifically addresses this international community. In fact, this was the eighth time that an international Carnival reception was held in the Old Town Hall. Naturally, Carnival also works in English! Indeed, the Expats were able to prove that even during the pandemic: many have fond memories of the digital Carnival quiz of 2021.
The motto of this year's Carnival season "Funny hat, red nose – we’re all rowing the same boat" perfectly matched with the concept of the event. When 180 nations come together, diversity means strength: in living and working together and especially during Carnival as an expression of Rhenish joie de vivre. This spirit of togetherness also connects with the major professional concern of most of the guests - the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.
The motto of Agenda 2030 is "Leaving no one behind”. "BonnExpat Alaaf!" brings the cultural heritage of the Rhineland closer to Bonn’s international community, inviting everyone to join in. The event has long since established itself in Bonn’s Carnival. Bonn Prince Carnival and Bonna (Christoph II and Nadine I), Beuel’s Washer Princess (Lena I) are traditionally present, as are Godesia (Alexandra) with her Prince (Pete I) and Liküra (Angela I). Among the guests were further Carnival highnesses from the city area in "civilian attire", who did not want to miss the inauguration and celebration of the new UNiversa.
OB inaugurates UNiversa Audrey I in her office
Since 2017, BonnExpat Alaaf is also the most important date of the Carnival season for the UN Funken, the Carnival society of the employees of the United Nations. Mayor Katja Dörner proclaimed the new UNiversa as the symbolic figure of the international Carnival in Bonn.
UNiversa Audrey I. (Ewert) is an employee of the United Nations Climate Secretariat, founding member and board member of the UN Funken. Audrey is from Australia and brings the humor of the Australian continent into the Funken mix. She is married, has a daughter and is not only involved in various expat associations such as the UN Spouse Association, but also in the Prinzengarde Bad Godesberg, where she "learned" Carnival firsthand in a traditional local association. Audrey even has family roots in Bad Godesberg, as her grandparents emigrated from Germany to Australia.
After the Corona break, the UN Funken will take part in the 2023 Rose Monday Parade as a foot group, carrying the motto of the United Nations in Bonn: "Shaping a Sustainable Future". As part Bonn’s Carnival family, they are rendering a very special contribution to more sustainability in our Carnival. Already in 2019, thanks to the UN Funken, the first climate-neutral Carnival parade marched through Bonn on Rose Monday. And in 2020 as well, the UN Funken offset the approximately 1,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions by investing in a climate protection project in the global south. This fine tradition will be continued in 2023. The certificate was handed over by UN Funken President Heidi Nabel-Meyer and UNiversa Audrey I to the head of the Bonn Carnival Committee, Björn Bachmann, in the presence of Prince Carnival, Bonna and Mayor Dörner.
UN Funken President Heidi Nabel-Meyer from Canada, who works for the United Nations Volunteers Program, was pleased that, with UNiversa Audrey, Australia now provides a Carnival highness for the UN Funken. After her predecessors from Europe, Asia, South America and Africa, Audrey I. will steer the Carnival boat as the new UNiversa.
Background BonnExpat event series
BonnExpat brings together Bonn’s international community. Employees of the United Nations, non-governmental organizations and large international companies get to know each other and the many sides of their professional home of Bonn at a number of different events. The BonnExpat evenings are hosted by the Foundation for International Dialogue of Sparkasse Bonn, Deutsche Post DHL and the City of Bonn.