On March 23, 2026, we were invited by our sponsor club, Rotary Hamburg International, to the historic ballroom of the Hotel Reichshof Hamburg to support a special fundraising evening. The Rotary Club Hamburg International used this event to support Rotary Children’s Day in Hamburg. The evening’s program was presented by the magicians of the Magic Circle Hamburg and featured an impressive show of close-up magic, stage illusions, and plenty of humor. Many thanks for the invitation, Rotary Hamburg International – it was a wonderful evening.
At this year’s Ramadan Iftar dinner, we at RAC Hamburg International hosted a special evening filled with culture, community, and engagement. Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is a time of fasting and reflection for Muslims around the world. The daily breaking of the fast—Iftar—was even recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2023. The evening was organized and planned by our member Ayesha.
The event offered all participants a varied program. At an authentic Pakistani restaurant in Barmbek, we enjoyed a lavish buffet accompanied by lively conversation. A special highlight was a casual auction featuring traditional Pakistani handicrafts.
In addition to cultural exchange, the charitable aspect was also a central focus: A portion of the proceeds was donated to War Child Germany, which supports children in conflict zones worldwide.
The event demonstrated how culture, community, and social engagement can be wonderfully intertwined. Here is a brief recap of the best photos from the evening:
It was a pleasure for us to support Rotary Club Hamburg-Fontenay at the inspiring “Young Choreographers” event by the Hamburg Ballet Ensemble. 🤝
The initiative gave dancers the opportunity to step beyond performance and create their own choreographies: sharing personal stories, emotions, and perspectives through dance.
Beyond the art, the evening supported a meaningful cause We are proud to contribute to initiatives that promote young talent in the arts and give emerging choreographers a platform to express themselves and grow. 🎭 It was great to see how culture can bring people together and create space for new ideas.
Grateful to be part of such a project and to support a community that brings culture and impact together.
On March 16, 2026, we were invited by our sponsor club, the Rotary Club Hamburg International, to a weekly meeting. On that day, the Rotary Club Hamburg Speicherstadt was also present as a guest. The highlight of the day was the guest speech by the President of Police of the City of Hamburg, Falk Schnabel.
➡️ The Hamburg police employ around 11,500 staff; after Berlin, this represents the second-highest density relative to the population (Hamburg: 6 police employees per 1,000 inhabitants; Berlin: 7, Munich: 3–4). ➡️ Crime rates have continued to decline in 2025 – following 2023 and 2024 (–5%); almost every second crime was solved. Compared to other major cities, Hamburg ranks 7th or 8th (alternating with Cologne), behind Frankfurt, Berlin, and Hanover. However, the number of sexual offenses and cases of property damage is increasing. ➡️ In particular, the growing level of digital crime poses major challenges for the police – including hybrid threats involving drones.
Many thanks to the officers and staff of the Hamburg police for their dedication, for the highly interesting presentation, and for their willingness to answer all our questions patiently and with great expertise ! For us, it was also a great opportunity to get to know the members of the Rotary Club Hamburg International and the Rotary Club Hamburg Speicherstadt better.
Am 16.03.2026 wurden wir von unserem Sponsorclub, dem Rotary Club Hamburg International, zu einem wöchentlichen Meeting eingeladen. An diesem Tag war zudem der Rotary Club Hamburg Speicherstadt zu Gast. Das Highlight des Tages war die Gastrede des Polizeipräsidenten der Stadt Hamburg, Falk Schnabel.
➡️ Die Polizei Hamburg beschäftigt rund 11.500 Mitarbeitende; nach Berlin ist das – bezogen auf die Einwohnerzahl – die zweithöchste Dichte (HH: 6 Polizeibeschäftigte pro 1.000 Einwohner; Berlin: 7, München: 3–4). ➡️ Die Straftaten sind – nach 2023 und 2024 – im Jahr 2025 weiter zurückgegangen (–5 %); fast jede zweite Straftat wurde aufgeklärt. Im Vergleich der großen Städte liegt Hamburg damit hinter Frankfurt, Berlin und Hannover auf Platz 7 oder 8 (im Wechsel mit Köln). Allerdings steigen die Zahlen bei Sexualdelikten und Sachbeschädigungen. ➡️ Vor allem die zunehmende digitale Kriminalität stellt die Polizei vor große Herausforderungen – darunter auch hybride Bedrohungen durch Drohnen.
Vielen Dank für den Einsatz der Kolleginnen und Kollegen der Polizei Hamburg, für den super interessanten Vortrag und die Bereitschaft, all unsere Fragen geduldig und hochkompetent zu beantworten ! Für uns war es nebenbei eine tolle Chance, die Mitglieder des Rotary Club Hamburg International und des Rotary Club Hamburg Speicherstadt besser kennenzulernen.
Rotaract Hamburg International celebrated International Women’s Day with a fun evening of bowling 🎳 and great company. During the event, we also honored our women members and guests with flowers 🌸 as a small gesture of appreciation.
Women play a key role in our club. Many of our members and leaders are women who bring ideas, energy, and strong leadership to our projects and community work.
As part of Rotaract, we are a network of young professionals committed to service, friendship, and international understanding 🌍. Through social events and community initiatives, we aim to create a positive impact while building a diverse and supportive community.
This week, from March 9 to March 15, we are celebrating World Rotaract Week.
I just wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you. We all have busy lives, which makes it even more meaningful when people choose to get involved, contribute their time and energy, and help shape our club on a voluntary basis. That commitment is something truly special, and it is a big part of what makes our members and this community so strong.
Thank you to our board, our members, our guests, and everyone who is interested in Rotary and Rotaract and in being part of something meaningful. It is great to see how our club is developing, and I truly believe that we can still achieve a lot together.
Everyone is always welcome to bring in ideas, get involved, and help shape what we are building.
Especially in times like these, when there is so much uncertainty in the world, I believe spaces like this matter even more. Places where people can come together, support one another, grow together, and create something positive.
We also have many exciting events planned this month, so thank you to everyone who is contributing, participating, believing in our mission and making all of this possible.
We are going to host a fundraising cultural social event – Ramadan Iftar Dinner
Quick note about Ramadan Iftar: Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar which observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting. Iftar is the daily evening meal with which Muslims end their Islamic fast at sunset during the holy month of Ramadan. In 2023, UNESCO included Iftar and its related traditions on the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Iftar time in 2026 starts from 18th February and ends at 19th March. To celebrate this huge event worldwide, Let’s gather together!
Activities: Dining in Authentic Pakistani food restaurant enjoying 4 unlimited variant Buffet and 1 drink per person
Fun games Casual auction for special Pakistani style handcrafts Pakistani music and dance
Charge: 30 euro per person including 18 euro dining fee and 12 euro for donation to War Child Deutschland http://warchild.de
Let’s gather together for celebration and good purpose!
For many, the festive season is a time of warmth, family gatherings, and shared celebration. Yet in an aging society, a growing number of seniors experience the holidays without close family around them. This year, members of Rotaract Club Hamburg International set out to brighten the season for residents of a local nursing home for senior people with disabilities, bringing joy to individuals who often lack regular visitors.
“We reached out to the Martha House and shared our idea to fulfill Christmas wishes for those residents who needed it most and bring some holiday joy,” said Magdalena Sierczyńska, Director of Strategic Partnerships and Global Alliance of Rotaract Club Hamburg International. “They sent us six wish lists. The requests were incredibly simple – for example, potted flowers, coloring books, plush toys, even a CD player.”
The visit left a strong impression on everyone involved.
“The wishes were modest, but the impact was immediate” Sierczyńska said. “As the gifts were unpacked, the residents’ joy was clear. We spent half a day with them – talking, listening, going for a walk. It was a reminder of how meaningful human connection can be. ”
Founded in March 2025, Rotaract Club Hamburg International is a young and diverse club, uniting young professionals from various countries who live and work in Hamburg. Despite still shaping its identity, the club is clear about its mission: to contribute positively to the local community and beyond.
“We are a very young organization, and while we’re still shaping our identity, giving back will remain a core part of what we do,” said Marlow D. Guttmann, one of the club’s founders and its current president. “This year we were happy to share the spirit of Christmas with seniors who often feel forgotten. And we are already planning new projects for the coming year.”
Rotaract Club Hamburg International is part of Rotaract District 1890, continuing the wider Rotary tradition of service, fellowship, and global citizenship.
Last Tuesday, we had the opportunity to attend a meeting of the “First Hanseatic Toastmasters.” We gained a favorable impression and enjoyed the warm and welcoming atmosphere. Your space for internationals to practice leadership and public speaking skills strengthens Hamburg’s international community – a mission our club shares as well. A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the certificate. Thank you for having us!
Do you enjoy creating meaningful experiences and bringing people together?✨ We’re looking for a new Club Master to shape the heartbeat of Rotaract Hamburg International. In this role, you’ll take the lead in planning our meetings, organizing social events, and making sure every gathering feels purposeful and welcoming.
It’s more than organizing!! it’s about building connection, teamwork, and memories that define our club.🎉
Think this sounds like you? Help us make the next Rotaract year unforgettable. If you’re organized, motivated, and love working with people, this role is for you. Reach out to join the new board for 2025!🥳
