Official delegation visits French twin towns

The twinning between Bocholt and the two French twin towns Aurillac and Arpajon-sur-Cère is 50 years old this year. For this reason, a six-member delegation of the city of Bocholt led by Mayor Thomas Kerkhoff was now there. He followed the invitation of his two counterparts Pierre Mathonier, mayor of Aurillac, and Isabell Lantuéjoul, mayor of Arpajon-sur-Cére.

The city council members Fabian Bohland, Monika Pacho and Vedat Ergün as well as the president of the German-French Society Bocholt e.V., Wilfried Flüchter, were present during the current delegation trip. They were accompanied by the partnership representative of the city of Bocholt, Petra Taubach.

Relationships are important for the future

In addition to a sightseeing program and company visits, this special anniversary culminated in the official reception in the town hall of Aurillac. All five former French mayors who have accompanied the town twinning in the past decades were present.

Many representatives of associations from both municipalities also came to the reception. In his speech, delivered in French, Mayor Kerkhoff emphasized the importance of Franco-German relations. "The personal contacts and encounters are the elixir of life for a town twinning," said Kerkhoff.

Many ideas for the future

The delegation brought back to Bocholt many ideas for the further partnership cooperation. For example, eight young people from both French twin towns are to participate in the European Youth Camp in Bocholt next year. Together with the German-French Society of Bocholt, the three cities are planning a citizens' trip to Aurillac and Arpajon-sur-Cére in the fall of 2023. In addition, the links between French and German schoolchildren are to be rebuilt.