The picturesque town of Templin, population 16,000, is celebrating its 750th birthday this year, one year late due to the coronavirus pandemic. Merkel chose one recent late summer day, just weeks before she retires from political life, to pay tribute to her hometown. Angela Merkel, the mayor of Templin Detlef Tabbert and Chairman of the City Council, Franz-Christoph Michel, plant a lime tree in the citizens’ garden in Templin. Photo: John MACDOUGALL / AFPThe event resembled any other good-natured small town ceremony, with its touch-too-long official speeches and homegrown entertainment. When she’s here, she’s completely natural, like us,” said local Manuel Wichmann on the town square lined with restored pastel-coloured buildings.

Source: The Local September 17, 2021 07:41 UTC