Kai Pflaume, Harald Schmidt, Verona Pooth, Claudia Cardinale, Uschi Glas, Mike Krüger, Mireille Mathieu, Cornelia Funke, Patrick Lindner—the list of celebrities enjoying a bath in the crowd in front of the Offenburg City Hall on Thursday afternoon was long. More than 3,500 people from the region took the opportunity to rub shoulders with the stars.

Two hours before the first stars were expected at City Hall, the first curious onlookers had gathered behind the barrier—equipped with “Yes, we can” flags and posters. The fans of US singer Britney Spears who received the Comback BAMBI that night let her know: “Britney, we love you”. And two girls called on actor Til Schweiger to “Let us be your No-Ears-Rabbit”, quoting the title of his most recent movie success.

While waiting, the crowd was entertained with the tune of Germany’s most important media award and a film made by three Offenburg students featuring interviews with contemporary witnesses of the last BAMBI award gala staged in Offenburg in 1987. The windows of surrounding buildings also served as lookout points.

One of the first guests to arrive shortly before 1pm was BAMBI presenter Harald Schmidt. The entertainer appeared on the balcony of City Hall, announcing with an American accent: “Ich bin ein Offenburger!” Next was the petite French singer Mireille Mathieu who returned to Offenburg after 21 years to accept her third BAMBI.

The crowd roared when TV personalities Kai Pflaume and Verona Pooth arrived downtown. They were immediately surrounded by photographers and camera teams as well as hundreds of autograph hunter. “He has such a charisma, I have always liked him best,” said an enthusiastic Helga Drechsel who had braved the elements and come by bike from a village nearby despite the cold to see her favorite star.

Inside City Hall, the famous guests also had to stand in line: Lord Mayor Edith Schreiner welcomed the guests one by one and watched them sign their name in the city’s guest book. “This is the right prelude to tonight’s event,” commented another onlooker, Claudia Peter.

Hubert Burda was accompanied by his wife, actress Maria Furtwängler, and reminded everybody of BAMBI’s long-term effect: “The event will direct great attention to your city. You just have to make best use of it,” he told Lord Mayor Edith Schreiner before rounding off the event by singing the region’s official song together with the crowd.

The 60th BAMBI Gala is broadcast live on National Public TV at 8.15 pm this evening.