January 2026
Alumni Event of the British Embassy
On January 13th, 2026, members of the Oxbridge Society attended a special UK Alumni Networking Reception at the British Embassy in Berlin, hosted jointly by the British Council Germany and the British Embassy.
Following a welcome by Helga Stellmacher, Director of the British Council Germany, His Excellency Andrew Mitchell CMG, British Ambassador to Germany, shared insights into current developments in the UK–Germany relationship. The evening brought together alumni of a wide range of British universities and provided an excellent opportunity to meet fellow UK graduates, exchange ideas and strengthen connections across the wider British-German alumni community.
The reception formed part of Alumni UK, the British Council’s global programme for international alumni of UK universities, and was another welcome occasion for the Oxbridge Society to connect beyond Hamburg with the broader network of UK alumni in Germany.
Book Launch “The Airlift”
On January 20th, 2026, members of the Oxbridge Society attended the Berlin launch of Sweet Victory: How the Berlin Airlift Divided East and West by Dr Joseph Pearson, a Trinity Hall alumnus and historian based in Berlin. The event took place at the Pierre Boulez Saal and was presented in English, with Alexander Wells joining Joseph Pearson for the discussion.
The book offers a fresh cultural history of the Berlin Airlift, focusing not only on the geopolitical significance of the operation but also on the experiences of individuals who lived through it. Through these personal stories, it explores how former enemies became allies and how the Airlift helped shape the emerging Cold War order.
We were particularly pleased to support an event featuring a fellow Oxbridge alumnus. Joseph Pearson, who studied at Trinity Hall, has also written extensively on Berlin and twentieth-century history, making the evening especially relevant to our Society and its strong connection with British-German exchange.
Oxbridge Seminar
On January 30th, 2026, the Oxbridge Society of Hamburg, together with our member Professor Ulf Schmidt, hosted a seminar at the University of Hamburg on the challenges and opportunities presented by artificial intelligence. Three members of the Society approached the subject from different perspectives: Ulf Schmidt on AI and Academia, Lukas Schultze-Moderow on AI and the Practice of Law, and Professor Maximilian Kiener on AI, Responsibility and the Ethics of Delegation.
The presentations sparked a lively discussion about both the opportunities and the risks associated with AI. Topics ranged from the use of AI to analyse large volumes of legal or historical material and automate routine tasks, to concerns about employment, manipulated information, deepfakes, and the possible loss of human expertise when important judgements are increasingly delegated to machines.
The evening concluded with an animated discussion over wine and cheese generously provided by Professor Schmidt. Capturing the spirit of the event, one participant was overheard saying to his neighbour: “This feels like the first day at Cambridge.”
February 2026
Special Reception at the City Hall
On February 24th, 2026, the Oxbridge Society of Hamburg was invited to a special reception at Hamburg City Hall bringing together representatives of the British community in Hamburg. The event marked the beginning of preparations for Hamburg’s 837th Port Anniversary, celebrated from May 8th to 10th, for which the Liverpool City Region was selected as the official partner region.
Held in the Bürgermeistersaal of the Rathaus, the evening provided an opportunity to learn more about the programme for the Port Anniversary and, above all, to strengthen connections among British and British-German organisations in Hamburg. For the Oxbridge Society, such occasions are a welcome opportunity to maintain and develop our links with the wider British community and with institutions across the city.
April 2026
Boat Race Party
On April 4th, 2026, members of the Oxbridge Society gathered for one of the highlights of the Oxbridge calendar: the annual Oxford–Cambridge Boat Race. Appropriately, we watched the races from the Hamburger und Germania Ruder Club, beautifully situated on the Alster. We are very grateful to the Club for hosting us and, in particular, to our member Professor Christian Baierle, who is also a member of the rowing club and helped make the afternoon possible.
Members brought food and drinks to share, and the clubhouse provided an excellent setting to follow the action on the Thames together. The 2026 races provided something for both sides: Oxford won the Women’s Boat Race by three lengths in a time of 19:15, while Cambridge won the Men’s Boat Race by three and a half lengths in 17:57. It was the 80th edition of the Women’s Boat Race and the 171st Men’s Boat Race.
Watching two of the world’s most famous university rowing crews from one of Hamburg’s historic rowing clubs felt particularly fitting. With Oxford and Cambridge alumni, families and friends gathered together on the banks of the Alster, it was a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon — and we hope to continue this Boat Race tradition in the years to come.
June 2026
Summer Party
On June 26th, 2026, members of the Oxbridge Society were invited by our friends at the Hamburger und Germania Ruder Club von 1836 to their Summer Party on the Alster. The invitation came through our member Christian Baierle, who had also hosted our Boat Race Party earlier in the year.
The evening began with a reception on the terrace and continued with barbecue, drinks and music by DJ Sven Klingenberg. With its beautiful setting directly on the Alster, the summer party offered a relaxed opportunity to meet friends from the rowing club and enjoy a convivial evening together.
August 2026
Committee Meeting
In August 2026, the Committee met to prepare two of the Society’s key events for the autumn: the Freshers Event and the Annual Dinner.
As in previous years, the meeting took place at our traditional venue, The George Hotel in Hamburg-St. Georg, which once again provided the perfect setting for planning, discussion and catching up over the summer.
September 2026
British Flair at Basthorst
On September 5th, 2026, members of the Oxbridge Society met at British Flair at Basthorst for a relaxed afternoon together. Despite the rather rainy weather, the atmosphere was warm and cheerful, and everyone made the most of the occasion.
It was a wonderful opportunity to catch up with fellow members, enjoy the British-themed surroundings, and spend a few convivial hours together. We are already looking forward to returning again in the future.
Freshers Event
On September 11th, 2026, we welcomed incoming Oxford students to our annual Freshers Event at the Abaton Bistro in Hamburg. Five new Oxford students had registered for the evening, giving them the opportunity to meet one another as well as members and alumni of the Society before beginning their studies in Oxford.
As Cambridge has shifted its focus from traditional Freshers Events towards activities for recent graduates, this year’s gathering was primarily an Oxford event. Oxford alumni from Hamburg were particularly encouraged to join us, share their experiences and offer advice to the next generation of students heading to Oxford.
November 2026
Annual Dinner 2026
Our Annual Black Tie Dinner will take place on Saturday, November 21st, 2026, at the Anglo-German Club on the Alster. Following the tradition of previous years, members and their guests will come together for an elegant evening of good food, lively conversation and the opportunity to meet old friends and make new ones.
Please save the date. Further details regarding the programme, speaker and registration will follow closer to the event.
December 2026
European Sounding Board
On December 4th, 2026, the Oxbridge Society of Hamburg will take part in an online gathering of European Cambridge Alumni Societies. The meeting is intended to strengthen links between alumni groups across Europe, exchange ideas and experiences, and explore opportunities for closer collaboration in the future.
The Oxbridge Society of Hamburg will be represented by Holger Blenske, our External Relations Officer, and Karsten Wenzlaff, Secretary. We also hope that members with connections to other Cambridge or Oxbridge societies in Europe will help us extend the invitation and bring further societies into the conversation.
White Alster Christmas Market Meetup
As in previous years, we are planning to meet for an informal Christmas Market gathering in December. It is always a pleasant opportunity to catch up with fellow members over mulled wine and seasonal treats in a relaxed atmosphere.
Oxford and Cambridge scarves are most welcome. The exact date and meeting point will be confirmed and announced after the Annual Dinner in November.