Mayor of the City of Szczecin Piotr Krzystek awarded LtCol. Hans Teglers a title of honorary "Ambassador of Szczecin" during the 24th City Council Meeting. It was the first time in the MNC NE history that such a title was awarded to the Corps' member.
Being Ambassador of Szczecin
In the presence of the City Council members, the Corps’ representatives, honorary guests and media, Mayor of the City of Szczecin Piotr Krzystek awarded LtCol. Hans Teglers the title of honorary "Ambassador of Szczecin" for the year 2007. The award was given in token of gratitude for long-standing contribution to developing Danish-Polish cooperation and propagating culture. In fact, it was LtCol. Hans Teglers’ way to become a part of Szczecin’s history.
LtCol. Hans Teglers’ service at the Headquarters Multinational Corps Northeast lasted nine years. He devoted his free time to promoting the Polish culture in Denmark and the Danish culture in Poland. His friendship with one of Szczecin’s painters Przemysław Cerebież-Tarabicki and other artists resulted in getting engaged in the artistic world of Szczecin. He promoted exhibitions of artists of Szczecin in various galleries in Copenhagen and other cities of Denmark. His activities were related not only to painting, though. For example he invited a Danish opera singer to have a concert in Szczecin together with a Russian pianist. His engagement, knowledge, a sense of humour and openness made him a real Ambassador of Szczecin.
LtCol. Teglers was deeply touched by this honourable commendation. It was also impressive that he decided to deliver his speech in Polish proving his relations not only with the Polish culture and people, but also the Polish language. In his speech he expressed his gratitude for being awarded the title as he treats Szczecin like his second home and Poland – like his second homeland. He also promised to keep promoting both the Polish art and the knowledge about Szczecin and Poland in Denmark and elsewhere.
Col. Jerzy Fela as the Corps’ representative as well as Col. Kurt B. Hansen as a Danish Senior National Officer and at the same Chief of G-5 Division took part in the ceremony. Afterwards, they shook hands with the new Ambassador and congratulated him. The fact that the title was awarded to a MNC NE member proves that MNC NE personnel have become active part of Szczecin community. "I have tried to do my best, to be a good guest here and this is a proof. This is a city with gratitude; when you do something, you are not forgotten. This is also a proof of the city’s friendliness and actually, this is the way I have always felt in Szczecin", said LtCol. Teglers. "I am immensely proud that I have received this title. Szczecin is a large city with a lot of significant people and I have been chosen out of them", added LtCol. Teglers.
Even though LtCol. Teglers already finished his service at the Corps, he would always be an awaited guest in Szczecin. He admitted that he would visit his friends in Poland as often as possible. For the MNC NE personnel, his positive attitude to Szczecin can be an example to be followed. The Ambassador even gave his own hint to his military colleagues: "You should come here with an open mind. Get outside the Headquarters and learn something about the local society, something about Poland, read about the Polish history to get a feeling and knowledge where you are…"
The title of honorary "Ambassador of Szczecin" is a commendation awarded by the Mayor of the City of Szczecin based on the proposal of the award committee. It is given to people who significantly contribute to the promotion of Szczecin both in Poland and abroad in various spheres of life. The tradition of the title goes back to the year of 2000. This year, apart from LtCol. Teglers, a Szczecin poet Anna Frajlich-Zając was awarded the title of "Ambassador of Szczecin".
Speech by LtCol. Teglers, originally delivered in Polish during the award ceremony:
"Mr. President, Councillors, Generals, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would like to express my deep gratitude to you for awarding me the title of an Honorary Ambassador of Szczecin. I accept this honour with joy, pride and yet with humbleness. I have been very happy living in Szczecin for so many years and I have found it difficult to leave the city. It will always remain my second home and Poland will always be my second homeland. Living in Denmark now, I am going to promote Szczecin and Poland and their best values. I have been raised in a family whose discussions on Poland’s history and its indomitable will of survival have been marked with respect. This honour makes me feel very proud today.
I wish you all good luck and I wish Szczecin and Poland many successes. Thank you."
