The 3rd Crister S. Garrett Memorial Lecture with Julia Friedlander

The 3rd annual Crister S. Garrett Memorial Lecture took place at the Bibliotheca Albertina Leipzig on November 18. Among the rouhgly 50 guests were members of the Garrett family as well as the newly appointed U.S. Consul General, Jodi Breisler.

Following opening remarks by DAIS Director Eric Fraunholz, Sanna Garrett, the youngest daughter of Prof. Garrett, reflected on her father’s academic legacy and personal convictions. For Consul General Breisler, the event marked her first public appearance.

The keynote speaker of the evening was Julia Friedlander, CEO of Atlantik-Brücke, Germany’s oldest transatlantic organization dedicated to promoting democracy, global stability, and economic cooperation. Speaking from a distinctly economic and pragmatic perspective, Friedlander explored the history, present dynamics, and future trajectories of transatlantic relations. She emphasized that while the relationship is undergoing change, new rising global actors and shifting geopolitical influences do not mark the end of the transatlantic partnership. Instead, they signal a new phase in which Germany and the United States must actively renegotiate and reaffirm their close and robust friendship.

Friedlander also highlighted the mission and history of Atlantik-Brücke and offered reflections on how to navigate today’s political challenges. After her talk, she opened the floor for questions from the audience.

We’d like to thank the University Library Leipzig for this ongoing cooperation and the Atlantik-Brücke for supporting the CSG-lecture this year.