Mrs. Lucia Puttrich, Hessian Minister for Federal and European Affairs and Commissioner of the Land of Hessen to the Federation.

Wearing a pair of sneakers, the Minister of State Lucia Puttrich appeared shortly before 10 a.m  at the corner of the State Representation of Hesse building where the WiB members of the 16 Federal States group were waiting for the last participants. She smiled cheerfully and greeted the members warmly. A short time later, as the Minister for Federal and European Affairs of the State of Hesse, she officially welcomed the group in a light-flooded room in this modern building. This time, she was wearing a pair of black pumps.

Hesse is currently governed by CDU in coalition with the Greens and the State Minister Puttrich serves as Hessen’s official representative at federal level. She described the beauty and distinctive features of her state, the contrast between the financial metropolis Frankfurt and the state capital Wiesbaden, the forests and the renown Riesling wine-growing regions. The fascinating introduction by Dr. Eleni Stagkouraki, Public Affairs and Event Manager (EU) at Representation of Hesse, was followed by a wonderful invitation to a buffet in the 'Winzerstube' with the Riesling from Kloster Eberbach. The open conversation with the State Minister, the friendly welcome by the staff and the delightful gift of a bottle of Rotling from the in-house (Berlin) vineyard inspired a visit to the State of Hesse. Hopefully we will have the opportunity to go next year!