80 years of Schleswig-Holstein

To start with, here’s a quiz question about the culinary specialities of Germany’s True North: What  ingredients go into a Schnüüsch and a Backofenkater?

Daniel Günther: A Schnüüsch contains beans, kohlrabi, potatoes and sometimes meat. And an  Ofenkater is a pear and bacon casserole baked in dough. The exciting thing about our Schleswig- Holstein dishes is often the contrast between sweet and savoury in one dish. Like with Mehlbüddeln or  sweet caramel potatoes with kale. Those who are unfamiliar with this will surely ask themselves at first: What are they doing up there in the north? You have to feel your way around a bit.

Claus Ruhe Madsen: That’s right! Some dishes take a bit of getting used to. I’m constantly being  introduced to new foods that I didn’t know about before. And I’m always surprised by the variety and  the combination of different ingredients. I like almost everything now. The only thing I can’t stand is  sugar on kale!

So, in culinary terms, not only are connections between opposites created, but also unexpected  combinations. Does that fit in with the image of Schleswig-Holstein in a figurative sense? 

Daniel Günther: I do think that we in Schleswig-Holstein sometimes surprise people. We have a  reputation for being rather taciturn, and we do admit to flirting with that a little when we say “Moin,  Moin” is already a chat. But anyone who gets to know us Schleswig-Holsteiners quickly discovers how sociable, cheerful and open the people up here are. We are very conscious of tradition, but that does not conflict with the fact that we are also very cosmopolitan. And I believe that is what makes our state so special.

Claus Ruhe Madsen: What is special here – and perhaps unexpected for some – is how people approach each other and come together. We solve things together here in Schleswig-Holstein and are very  down-to-earth and pragmatic. People here don’t think so narrowly here. From my perspective as a  Dane and also as a Schleswig-Holsteiner – because I am both – Schleswig-Holstein combines the best of two worlds for me. On the one hand, there is the typical German determination and orderliness, but on the other hand, there is also “Danish” pragmatism. Perhaps it is precisely this combination that is the reason why there is such a strong can-do mentality here. 

You talk about the can-do mentality of the people of Schleswig-Holstein. When you think of this  attitude, is there an image or symbol that particularly embodies it for you?

Claus Ruhe Madsen: Since I’ve been here, sheep have been my favourite animals. When you drive  behind them, they don’t care at all that they’re in the way. When they’re on the move, they go their own way and don’t let themselves be disturbed – they signal: “We’re going to do what we set out to do and go our own way.” This can be symbolically applied to the can-do mentality of the people of Schleswig-Holstein: act calmly, don’t get distracted and consistently follow the path you have chosen. I find that  very appealing. And what’s more, there is no mentality of complaining here, but rather: So mok wi dat  (that’s how we’ll do it)! And together! This is also reflected in the motto for the 80th anniversary.  Because the celebrations are themed around cohesion and social interaction.

Daniel Günther: The Baltic Sea storm surge in autumn 2023 is a good example of how social cohesion is lived in Schleswig-Holstein and how proactive the people in our state are. The willingness to help after this severe storm surge was enormous. It was incredibly impressive how quickly the damage was  repaired through joint efforts. Even during the storm, emergency services and volunteers worked  tirelessly along the entire Baltic Sea coast to ensure that no one was harmed. And the very next morning, thousands of people didn’t waste any time talking but simply helped to clean up and support those affected. Fire brigades drove from the west coast to the Baltic Sea. This “Wat mutt, dat mutt” (you have to do what you have to do) is really our mentality. I would also say that here, in general – due to  the vastness of the state between two seas – people see things more calmly and approach challenges
more calmly and therefore more pragmatically, perhaps also with a more positive outlook – by seeing them as opportunities. We don’t let ourselves be infected by gloom so quickly but instead set ambitious goals.

For example, by becoming the first climateneutral industrialised state by 2040? 

Daniel Günther: Even for a state like Schleswig-Holstein, which has green energy in abundance,  becoming the first climate-neutral industrialised state is indeed an ambitious goal. But we produce twice as much electricity from renewable energies as we consume, we have great, innovative and committed companies that are keen to work towards this goal, and the people in our state are also very willing and open to it. We want to show that climate neutrality does not mean a loss of prosperity but can actually increase prosperity in the state. At first, people laughed at us: the pioneers on the west coast with their wind turbines – it’s a bit crazy what they are doing up there in the north. And today, other states are copying what was developed here back then. And we are now in a  comfortable situation. Not only is our electricity from renewable energies an export hit, but so are our ideas and our research. We have seized these opportunities. And if we show that we can continue to do so, not only in the production of electricity from renewable energies, but also in its conversion into heat and mobility, then I firmly believe that we will achieve this goal. Precisely because we have proven in recent decades that these ambitious goals suit us.

Claus Ruhe Madsen: With this goal in mind, we have put on our binoculars and are thinking not just about tomorrow, but about the years ahead. This also creates jobs, and companies are looking to  Schleswig-Holstein because they need our green energy. This is an absolute location factor that plays into our hands. But bright minds are also coming to the state to play their part in changing the world a little bit. With the goal of becoming the first climateneutral industrialised state, we are demonstrating that Schleswig-Holstein wants to make the world a little bit better and more liveable. That makes us attractive. It’s clear that it always involves a certain degree of intervention. But it clearly shows that we are tackling the issue, moving forward and developing solutions. Keyword: intervention. Schleswig- Holstein stands for space, nature and quality of life, as well as growth and innovation in harmony with the challenges of climateneutral economic activity. How can this balancing act be mastered in the future?

Daniel Günther: We need to explain clearly why we are doing all this. Take wind power in the beautiful countryside, for example. That plays a major role. We have balanced this well in recent years, for  example by increasing the distance regulations for residential development. It is important to maintain a balance in order to promote understanding for the measures and, at the same time, make it clear to people that producing electricity from renewable energies in our own state is a locational advantage for everyone because it makes us less dependent than is the case elsewhere. I believe that we also have broad acceptance for this in Schleswig-Holstein. However, I would like to see the people of Schleswig-Holstein benefit even more in future from the fact that green electricity is produced here. This further increases acceptance of the energy transition and helps lead the region into a climate-neutral future – without diminishing people’s satisfaction – and ensures that the uniqueness of our state continues to be experienced.

And naturally for visitors and tourists as well?

Claus Ruhe Madsen: Schleswig-Holstein is a beautiful state. And the first answer to the question of why tourists come to us is that they can experience beautiful landscapes here. Thirty-eight million  overnight stays confirm that we are obviously doing a lot of things right. At the same time, tourism – with a workforce of 160,000 – is one of the strongest pillars of Schleswig-Holstein’s economy. Does that  mean we are doing everything right, even in terms of the changing demands of travellers? Today, people pay much more attention to sustainability, quality and authenticity.

Daniel Günther: That plays right into our hands. We are naturally beautiful. Here, you can enjoy  authentic nature and landscapes. Climate and nature conservation are very important to us. We also  have a much more balanced climate. And that is precisely why we remain so attractive to tourists. I  believe we are preaching to the choir here.

Claus Ruhe Madsen: Tourists notice that they are welcome here. I myself received such a warm  welcome here, even though I admitted at the time that I didn’t know where Itzehoe was. However, it is also important to ensure that we do not overload anyone, neither the tourists nor the locals. And that we provide a diverse range of activities, from the coast to the inland, with music events that extend far beyond the state borders, with offers for cycle tourism and many other highlights. Schleswig-Holstein is not only popular with tourists for its landscapes and unique attractions but is also a socially diverse state. To what extent will this cultural diversity, especially the contribution of minorities, continue to play a role in Schleswig-Holstein in the future?

Daniel Günther: I am convinced that minorities are seen as a strength in Schleswig-Holstein and that  diversity is something positive. When, for example, the Danish king comes to visit and the Danish minority lines the streets with Danish flags, many who do not belong to the Danish minority are infected by the enthusiasm, join in and enjoy it too. This is part of the state’s identity, just like Frisian culture. And that is why we will not slacken in our efforts to continue to strengthen these minorities. Frisian philology is taught at universities, Low German and Danish at schools. Everything is a matter of course. And I think we can be very proud of that.

If Schleswig-Holstein can look back with pride on its diversity and cohesion today, how would you like to see these values preserved for future generations?

Daniel Günther: If we continue to develop as positively in the coming years as we have in the past 80, then that will be a great achievement. I am convinced that we can fulfil our promise – namely, that each generation will be a little better off than the previous one. The first step is to believe that we can do it. And I think this belief is particularly strong in Schleswig-Holstein. That is why I am very optimistic that future generations will continue this path. The more we do to promote cohesion and show that we can achieve more together than against each other, the stronger this feeling will become – and perhaps it will also inspire others. Because this is exactly the spirit we need in many places.