The annual Winterball is one of the most important national events of the German Fulbright Alumni Association. However, it’s not just one event – it’s a weekend full of events. Over the course of three days, we enjoy tours of the respective city that hosts the event, a brunch meeting, a Get-Together in a tavern or restaurant, the general members’ assembly where we elect the new board, and, finally, the Winterball.
After the general assembly, you relax a bit or explore the city by yourself or in small groups with other Fulbrighters, then dress up and head to the party location. And the rest of the evening and the better part of the night is debating, dining, honoring, meeting old and new friends, and a whole lot of dancing.
This brief summary also applies to our latest Winterball in Mainz last week, March 17-19. It all started with a guided tour of the ZDF TV channel that offered some interesting backstage views. In the evening, we met at a local restaurant with a unique ambience – a medieval vaulted hall.
The following day, at the members’ assembly we discussed current issues and elected the new board. The whole board 2017 can be seen here.
Then at night, the Ball took place at the beautiful Electoral Palace in Mainz. After some greetings by our guests from the US Consulate General Frankfurt and the German Fulbright Commission and an awarding ceremony for the annual recipient of the Jürgen Mulert Award on Mutual Understanding the ball started…
… and the rest of the evening and the better part of the night was debating, dining, meeting old and new friends, and a whole lot of dancing.