Youth from Gernika pay a visit to the freshly inaugurated town hall, greeted by OB Boch
Pforzheim, Germany, and Gernika, Spain, two towns bound by a shared history of wartime destruction, are reinforcing their relationship through a series of cultural exchange programs. The partnership, established in 1989, symbolises a commitment to peace, reconciliation, and cultural exchange, rooted in historical reflection.
Gernika, famously known for the devastating aerial bombing during the Spanish Civil War, and Pforzheim, which suffered heavy bombing in World War II, have come together to foster mutual understanding and remembrance of the tragic consequences of war.
The latest exchange programme saw twenty-four young people from Seber Altube Ikastola school in Gernika visiting Pforzheim. The visit was aimed at keeping the long-standing relationship with Gernika alive, with friendships expected to develop during the exchange.
The town twinning between Pforzheim and Gernika promotes peace and friendship, encourages cultural exchange, and fosters educational collaboration. Student exchanges broaden young people's horizons, cultural visits and events highlight historical memory and contemporary cultural ties, and joint commemorations and peace initiatives reinforce the commitment to avoid repeating past atrocities.
During their stay in Pforzheim, the Basque students were welcomed by Mayor Peter Boch at the New Town Hall. Their program includes a visit to the Jewellery Museum, a city tour, and a visit to the Gasometer. The Hilda-Gymnasium students, who visited Gernika in March, were also present. The class will explore Pforzheim until next Wednesday.
Mayor Boch took the opportunity to thank everyone who made the exchange possible after the pandemic years. He wished the Basque students an exciting time in Pforzheim. The exchange programme is a testament to the resilience of both towns, turning painful memories into a foundation for ongoing cooperation and peace-building.
(Note: This summary is based on widely recognised principles and goals behind such partnerships involving towns with histories of wartime destruction, such as Pforzheim and Gernika, known for their respective bombings in WWII and the Spanish Civil War.)
- The cultural exchange program, as a part of the town twinning between Pforzheim and Gernika, extends beyond historical reflection, promoting not only peace and friendship but also learning and travel experiences – nurturing a lifestyle of cross-cultural understanding and education-and-self-development.
- During their visit, the Basque students from Gernika are not only deepening friendships but also broadening their horizons via travel and education, embracing a lifestyle that cherishes diverse cultures and values the historical significance of their partnership.
