patron
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patron
A usually prominent person who gives moral support to an event, organization, or project and represents it through their name, without being the organizer themselves.
Der Bürgermeister hat die Schirmherrschaft für das diesjährige Stadtfest übernommen.
The mayor has taken on the patronage of this year's town festival.
The word is made up of 'Schirm' (here in the sense of 'protection') and 'Herr' (man/lord). A 'Schirmherr' (patron) is therefore literally a person who symbolically holds their protection over a project.
Als Schirmherr unterstützt der berühmte Schauspieler das Filmfestival.
As patron, the famous actor supports the film festival.
The word is related to the verb 'beschirmen' (to protect, to shelter). The task of the 'Schirmherr' (patron) is to give moral protection to a project.
Er fühlt sich geehrt, die Konferenz als Schirmherr beschirmen zu dürfen.
He feels honored to be allowed to support the conference as its patron.
The role is often described with the noun 'die Schirmherrschaft' (patronage) and the verb 'übernehmen' (to take on). You 'are' the patron, but you 'übernimmt die Schirmherrschaft' (take on the patronage).
Die Ministerin hat die Schirmherrschaft für die Wohltätigkeitsgala übernommen.
The minister has taken on the patronage of the charity gala.
organizer
'der Veranstalter' and 'der Schirmherr' can both be connected with an event. However, they have different roles. The organizer actually plans and organizes the event: for example, they take care of the venue, program, money, and schedule. The patron mainly supports an event with their name or public role. They are often well-known or important, but normally do not organize it themselves. The words can be confused because both may appear on posters or invitations. For the organization, you say 'Veranstalter'; for symbolic support, 'Schirmherr'.
Der Bürgermeister ist Schirmherr des Spendenlaufs im Park.
The mayor is the patron of the charity run in the park.
Der Veranstalter des Konzerts öffnet die Türen schon um 18 Uhr.
The organizer of the concert opens the doors as early as 6 p.m.