Department of Information and Tourism, Taipei City Government

Jurgen Gerbig, the former director of the German Cultural Institute Taipei (Goethe-Institut Taipei), received the honorary citizenship certificate from the hands of Mayor Hau Lung-bin during the press conference following the city administration meeting on September 22.

Hau expressed his gratitude to the former director of the institute for his role in strengthening the ties between Taiwan and Germany. The mayor noted that the former director assisted the City in sponsoring important activities, such as the Taipei Movie Festival. His invaluable help made many of these events very successful.

The city government decided to present him with an honorary citizenship to the former director, thanking him for his contributions to Taipei.

Gerbig remarked that he has experienced the friendliness of locals during his stay in Taipei. He joked that while he has received many things during his sojourn here, he realized that he is still lacking the certificate of honorary citizenship. He expressed his gratitude to the city government for this honor.

With a keen interest in local culture, Gerbig collaborated with Taiwan National University of Arts to organize a Matsu exhibition in Munich, bringing the culture of Matsu worship to Germany. Gerbig said he feels very close to the people and land of Taiwan; he will always be willing to take on the role of the island’s goodwill ambassador, no matter where he is in the world.