anlässlich

Anlässlich is a German preposition meaning "on the occasion of" or "in connection with." It is used to indicate that an action, event, or statement relates to a specific event, anniversary, or circumstance. The expression governs the genitive case, as in anlässlich des Jubiläums, anlässlich des Geburtstags or anlässlich einer Ausstellung.

In usage, anlässlich appears primarily in formal or semi-formal writing, such as announcements, invitations, press releases, museum or cultural events, and official communications. It serves to frame what follows as being tied to the referenced occasion. Examples include: Anlässlich des Jubiläums wurden mehrere Veranstaltungen geplant; Anlässlich der Ausstellung wird eine Führungsreihe angeboten.

Etymology and alternatives: the word derives from Anlass (occasion, reason) with the prefix an-, yielding a sense of "on the occasion of." A common, more everyday alternative is aus Anlass, as in aus Anlass des Jubiläums, which carries a similar meaning but is often used in a broader range of registers. While anlässlich is correct in standard German, speakers may choose aus Anlass for less formal contexts.

Summary: Anlässlich is a formal prepositional phrase used to mark actions or communications that occur in relation to a particular occasion, most commonly followed by a genitive noun phrase. It functions to emphasize the event as the reference point for what is described or announced.