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The New Year's reception at the Waldorf Astoria Berlin hotel is a highlight for almost all diplomats in Berlin. Tuesday evening was once again the time for this event. Exactly one year ago, the hotel's general manager, Christian Schwenke, took up his post and has had dealings with many embassies since then. The hotel, which provides the venue for many receptions on national holidays and state visits, hopes that by inviting the embassies to the New Year's reception, it will ensure their loyalty in the new year as well.

A special feature of the programme is always the performance of the Diplomatic Choir under the direction of American-born Barbara Leifer. The mezzo-soprano founded the choir in 2013 and has inspired many diplomats and non-diplomats who enjoy singing to take up the hobby.

Although the event was well attended as always, some guests were missing. Those guests had accepted an invitation from Croatian Ambassador Gordan Bakota to a special birthday reception: the occasion was the 75th birthday of Apostolic Nuncio Nikola Eterović, who holds the rank of archbishop, is the dean of the diplomatic corps, and is himself a native of Croatia. The Vatican ambassador has been in his post in Berlin since 2013.

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