OSCA Represented at the Day of Lower Saxony in Braunschweig, Germany
The Omaha Sister Cities Association was honored to be represented by Board Member Makayla Leiting at the 2026 Day of Lower Saxony (Tag der Niedersachsen) in Braunschweig, Germany.
The Day of Lower Saxony is one of the state's largest cultural celebrations, bringing together visitors for a three-day festival that highlights the diversity, traditions, and community spirit of Lower Saxony. Each year, a different city hosts the event, and after 30-years, Braunschweig welcomed visitors from across Germany and beyond. Nearly 3,000 visitors attended.
As part of the celebration, Braunschweig's International Relations Department invited representatives from its sister cities to participate in the festivities. Makayla had the opportunity to connect with international visitors, greet guests at the Sister Cities tent, and share information about Omaha and the long-standing partnership between our two cities.
A highlight of the weekend was participating in the festival parade, where Makayla proudly carried the Nebraska flag alongside representatives from Braunschweig's other sister cities. Throughout the event, she met countless individuals who were already familiar with Omaha through family ties, friendships, business relationships, student exchanges, and previous visits.
These conversations served as a powerful reminder of the impact that sister city relationships have in fostering understanding and building connections between people across cultures. What began decades ago as an official partnership continues to thrive through personal relationships, educational exchanges, and community engagement.
OSCA extends its sincere gratitude to the City of Braunschweig and its International Relations Department for their warm hospitality and continued commitment to international friendship. We are especially thankful to Carol Stoltenberg, Chairman of the OSCA Braunschweig Committee for making this connection happen and to Makayla Leiting for serving as an outstanding ambassador for Omaha and helping strengthen the bonds between our two sister cities.
Experiences like these demonstrate the enduring value of citizen diplomacy and the important role that Sister Cities play in creating a more connected world.
