On the evening of June 3 in Hildesheim city, the Vietnamese-German former Vice Chancellor of Germany Philipp Rosler celebrated his 50th birthday with 500 guests in attendance, including many current and former high-ranking leaders of European countries.
Member of European Parliament McAllister, Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (far right), supports the meaningful activities for Philipp Rosler's 50th birthday - Photo: BENEDIKT JANSEN/FILIPP ROMANOVSKI
Mr. Rosler, currently the Honorary Consul of Vietnam in Switzerland, marked his 50th milestone with an incredibly meaningful act. "Instead of gifts, I asked my guests to donate to the orphanage that once cared for me in Vietnam," Mr. Philipp Rosler shared with Tuoi Tre on June 4, after the birthday party.
Helping Vietnamese children
Mr. Philipp Rosler once served as Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister of Economics and Technology of Germany under Chancellor Angela Merkel. He was the youngest member in Ms. Merkel's cabinet at the time, and also the first minister of Asian descent in Germany.
Before becoming successful in German politics, Mr. Rosler was cared for at an orphanage belonging to the Catholic convent of the Sisters of Providence (French Providence Order) in Soc Trang province.
He was raised there for the first nine months of his life before being adopted by a German couple in November 1973. Although he does not have clear memories of Vietnam, the heart of the former German Vice Chancellor has never lost its longing to return to his roots.
In early 2022, he had the opportunity to return and visit the orphanage after nearly half a century. This orphanage continued to operate for a few years after he was taken away, then became a clinic and a school. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the sisters have reopened the orphanage to take in children in need.
"About three years ago, not many people were interested in this facility. It became an orphanage again when the pandemic hit, and they needed help, especially the orphans. Having lost their parents, these children need psychological care. In particular, they need to go to school," Mr. Rosler shared with Tuoi Tre about the orphanage when he visited.
The former German Vice Chancellor added: "Fate waited nearly 50 years to bring me back to this orphanage right when it needed support the most, so I believe that my mission is to nurture this place."
Therefore, during the late birthday party celebrating his 50th year on June 3, he called on the guests, who were prominent politicians and close friends, to donate to the orphanage that cared for him in his infancy instead of sending him material gifts.
A night for Vietnam
More than 500 guests came to Hildesheim (Germany) to join in raising a toast for Mr. Rosler's birthday. They were leaders, former high-ranking leaders, prominent politicians, and also his friends, including German Finance Minister Christian Lindner and former Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz.
In addition, the Vietnamese Ambassador to Switzerland, Mr. Phung The Long, drove for nine hours to congratulate Mr. Rosler on his birthday as soon as he learned of his meaningful plan.
Many European guests at the party had close relationships with Vietnam, including the Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament, MEP David McAllister. He was someone who participated in the negotiations for the European Union - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).
"Mr. McAllister understands the story of my background very well, so he especially supports this meaningful party," Mr. Rosler said.
The former German Vice Chancellor also described the party as a night truly "for Vietnam," as the politicians and entrepreneurs all agreed to support in many different forms.
He stated that he could not yet fully tally all the support for Vietnam from his 50th birthday party, but was extremely happy that the guests responded to his appeal and contributed to the funding pool.
Sharing about the plan to use the donation, Mr. Rosler said he would devote the majority to the education of children at the orphanage that raised him. Additionally, a portion of the funds will be converted into medical scholarships for young women in the Mekong Delta region.
"These young people promise to return to serve the medical forces of their homeland after completing their studies," he said.
The former German Vice Chancellor will entrust this donation to the Care to Rise program - a meaningful project implemented by the Ho Chi Minh City Youth Union and the Ho Chi Minh City Council of the Young Pioneer Organization in coordination with the VinaCapital Foundation. Mr. Rosler is currently the global ambassador for the program.
Mr. Rosler said he will return to Vietnam around the end of June 2023 to promote several attractive potential investments. "My mission is to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) into Vietnam," he revealed about his upcoming plans.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/philipp-rsler-va-tuoi-50-danh-cho-viet-nam-20230604233113645.htm
