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.
ambassador
Botschafter and Schirmherr can both refer to a prominent person associated with a project. A Botschafter usually actively promotes an idea or project and speaks publicly in its support. A Schirmherr mainly gives it moral support and lends it their name without being the organizer themselves.
Der Bürgermeister ist Schirmherr der Veranstaltung und unterstützt sie mit seinem Namen.
The mayor is the patron of the event and supports it by lending it his name.
Die Sängerin ist Botschafterin des Projekts und wirbt in Interviews dafür.
The singer is the project’s ambassador and promotes it in interviews.
