German Consul General Hans Jörg Brunner announced last week that he was leaving Atlanta to assume the position of deputy chief of mission to the German embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, and that he would be replaced by Lutz Görgens.
Dr. Görgens, the current deputy consul, arrived in Atlanta last year, and will formally assume the position of consul general in August.
Mr. Brunner announced his departure during a farewell reception at his residence in Buckhead June 29. He joked that a thundershower that broke out during his remarks was an answer to Gov. Sonny Perdue’s prayers to end the drought in Georgia.
Gov. Perdue happened to be in Munich, Germany, that evening while leading a trade mission through Europe, and Mr. Brunner added that the trip was another indication of the close ties binding Georgia and Germany.
Mr. Brunner has served four and a half years here and cited the highlights of tour of duty including the Reunification Conference held in Atlanta in October 2003, which brought together for the first time to the United States former U.S. President Bush, Russian President Mikhail Gorbachev and German Chancellor Helmut Kohl.
He also cited the celebrations surrounding the 100th birthday of the German Consulate General, which dates back to 1904 and was the first consulate in Atlanta.
The event was celebrated with 10 receptions throughout the Southeastern consular district, an exhibition at the Atlanta History Center, three concerts and a joint gala with the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Southern United States.
In addition, he pointed to the events surrounding the G8 Summit held at Sea Island in June 2004.
“I was also happy to be involved by our honorary consul in North Carolina, Kurt Waldthausen, to organize two German jazz festivals, which had an outstanding success there,” he added.
He recognized Bruce Jones, Germany’s honorary consul in Alabama, and Wolf Stromberg, the honorary consul in South Carolina, as well.
Ingrid Jarvis, deputy consular officer who has been in charge of the consulate’s passport and visa section and is retiring, also was recognized for her years of service.
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