What is your personal connection to the IPK? How do you experience the institute?

I started my own kitchen-building business in 2004 and received many orders from the IPK. I still remember the different smells that came from each dormitory kitchen, depending on the nationality of the residents. I found that fascinating. Since then, I have regularly gone to the ‘Casino’, the IPK canteen, for lunch. I enjoy not only the food, but also the relaxed, convivial atmosphere.

Not every local mayor has an internationally renowned institute employing more than 500 people in their town. Just how vital is the IPK for Gatersleben?

The IPK is synonymous with Gatersleben - there’s no other way to put it. For example, when you go to the supermarket in Gatersleben in the evening, you hear so many different languages - something you simply won’t find anywhere else.

One of our working group leaders is involved with the fire brigade, and two sports groups at the sports club are organised by IPK employees. People also meet at the ‘Open Day’ on the research campus and at local events. As mayor, you must be pleased about that.

Yes, of course I’m extremely happy about that. But I don’t know it any other way here. This sense of community has simply grown over many years. I myself am involved in the fishing club. For a long time, we had an Indian scientist who would always cook for us. At that time, a team from rbb even spent a day with us and reported on us. The ‘Saxonia 1920 Gatersleben’ sports club has also had foreign players in its football team for years.

Nevertheless, there are still some reservations. A colleague from the fire brigade said that the IPK is a village within a village, almost a second Gatersleben. In an interview, Andreas Priepke, chairman of the ‘Saxonia 1920 Gatersleben’ club, also said that there used to be more contact with the institute. How would you explain this perception?

Perhaps there is a simple explanation…

… we are excited!

The barrier at the gate! I think many foreign researchers feel very comfortable on campus. However, the barrier also separates them slightly from the town. The barrier may also scare off the locals, who may associate it with control and surveillance. ‘Why should I go through there?’ Or, ‘How do I even get through there?’

However, the IPK also wants to engage with and involve local children and young people. For instance, the proceeds from the flea market held during the open day were donated to the Sonnenschein day care centre. A primary school class also spent a day at the IPK in the spring. Is this the best way to further strengthen ties?

Children are undoubtedly important. I clearly remember the early 1990s. Suddenly, foreign families were in the village through the IPK, which was a new experience for many people. However, the children simply made contact with each other playfully at the daycare centre. It was harmonious and lovely to witness. Based on this, we parents also started talking to each other, but the children took the first step towards each other.

When the IPK donates money to the nursery and invites primary school children today, this undoubtedly provides another necessary impetus that radiates into the families.

You also want to provide impetus, so you have invited representatives of the clubs to attend a meeting in early September. What is the purpose of the event?

Although Gatersleben has a very active and lively club scene, some things could be better coordinated and harmonised. This gave rise to the idea of setting up an umbrella organisation to take on this task and serve as a point of contact in future. We have already found people who would like to get involved. At the beginning of September, we will present and explain the project to all clubs and institutions, including the IPK.

What specifically could the umbrella organisation do?

One of its tasks could be organising festivals, as well as preserving the townscape. For instance, it could take on sponsorships to maintain the flower beds or organise spring and autumn cleaning. Experience has shown us how important such activities are. The contacts that arise from them are invaluable. The IPK was also heavily involved last time, with around 20 people participating.

The following invitation is from the IPK, who are holding a blood donation session on 29 October at the research campus. Will you be promoting this event in your community too?

Last year, some older people approached me to express their regret that there were no blood donation sessions in Gatersleben. I’m therefore very pleased that the DRK is offering another session at the IPK's initiative, which is also intended for local people. We will publicise it with posters and hope it will become a regular event.

‘The goal is not only to celebrate the “Festival of Encounters” on the research campus every two years, but also to make Gatersleben a place of encounter every day,’ you said at IPK's open day in June. How did you come up with this phrase?

I’m not a natural speaker, so the night before, I asked ChatGPT. However, when I read the AI’s suggestion for my short speech, I thought, ‘That's not me.’ Then I asked myself: What is this really about? It's about having positive daily encounters. Based on this idea, I made a few notes. Today, I hope that, with the new umbrella organisation, we can take another big step in this direction.

You have now been in office for a year. How would you sum up your time so far?

The time commitment involved in this voluntary position is greater than many people told me beforehand: training courses, meetings, mandatory tasks – the list goes on. But they probably just wanted me to assume the role (laughs). Nevertheless, I have not regretted taking on this task. One advantage I had was that I already knew half the town, including many people at the IPK, such as Katrin Menzel and Josefine Köhler. I have also remained the same person as before, just in a different position.

What are your hopes for the coming year?

As far as the IPK is concerned, I hope our cooperation will continue to be as positive and trusting as it has been until now. As for the town, I hope all the clubs will fully commit to the new umbrella organisation, leaving personal sensitivities out of it.