35 years of town twinning: Bernau and Meckenheim celebrate solidarity!

35 years of town twinning: Bernau and Meckenheim celebrate solidarity!

What a milestone for the communities of Bernau near Berlin and Meckenheim! On the occasion of the 35th anniversary of their town partnership, Mayor André Stahl and Head of Social Affairs Yvonne Dankert-Schmidt traveled to Meckenheim. The partnership, which has flourished since 1990, has developed significantly over the years - from initial support in setting up Bernau's local government into a lively exchange characterized by visits and joint projects.
With the large sign that was unveiled at the upper roundabout facing the main street, the connection between the two cities is now also visually integrated into the cityscape. Mayor Holger Jung emphasized the importance of the visibility of town twinning in today's world. “The friendship and understanding between our cities are of central importance,” he said.

A ceremony with a look into the future

In the year of the 35th reunification of Germany, this ceremony took place not only for nostalgic reasons, but also to highlight the intensive exchange on topics such as educational infrastructure. Mayor André Stahl presented Holger Jung with a decoration from the city of Bernau in recognition of his services. “There’s something going on,” smiled Stahl as he reflected on the successes of the last few years. A visit to the educational campus and a newly opened daycare center rounded off the program - so there is a lot to report from Meckenheim.

More than just signs

Not only does the large sign on the upper roundabout illuminate the paths, but a total of twelve new city twinning signs have been installed to further enhance the cityscape. These replace old, worn signs and show that the city of Meckenheim is bringing a breath of fresh air into partnerships. The Meckenheim Community Foundation covered the costs of 3,380 euros, and the installation was carried out by the municipal building depot. The citizens' association also plays a significant role in maintaining these relationships in order to keep the exchange between the cities alive.

A look at town twinning in general

Town twinning was created after the Second World War to heal the deep wounds left by the world wars. They promote exchange between citizens from different countries and are an important part of local foreign policy. According to the Federal Agency for Civic Education, there are over 5,497 town twinning relationships in Germany, with a large proportion in EU countries. These partnerships contribute to European integration and enable intricate cultural encounters that go far beyond signs and formal treaties.