Reinforcing the Franco-German alliance, expanded to incorporate Danz.
In the picturesque town of Penkun, nestled near the Polish border, a unique cultural exchange took place recently. For five days, over 20 young girls from France and Germany came together for a dance workshop, marking a significant milestone in the town twinning project between Penkun and the French town of Fors.
The workshop was filled with creativity, exchange, and sociability, as the girls immersed themselves in the art of dance, learning various styles from both French and German backgrounds. The event was jointly led by the town twinning committees of both towns and was organized by the SEP (Center for Adult Education) of Fors, with the support of the town twinning in Germany.
Penkun's mayor, Antje Zibell, informed that the workshop offered diverse opportunities for the participants. The event included workshops, rehearsals, festive moments, sightseeing, and a public performance that concluded the workshop. The group was accommodated at the youth exchange center in Plöwen.
The dance workshop embodied the spirit of town twinning, promoting friendship and cultural linkage between the two towns. It aimed to forge lasting connections among young Europeans, encouraging youth engagement to foster understanding and dismantle stereotypes. The workshop provided an intercultural encounter for the participants, offering an opportunity for dance enthusiasts from France and Germany to move to the rhythm of dance.
The town twinning between Fors, France, and Penkun, Germany, is part of a broader post-World War II movement in Europe aimed at fostering reconciliation, friendship, and cultural exchange between formerly adversarial nations—especially France and Germany. These partnerships have been established to build lasting ties by encouraging personal contacts, mutual understanding, and cooperation across various community levels such as schools, local governments, and cultural organizations.
Though specific founding dates for the Fors-Penkun twinning might vary, such partnerships typically began in the decades after the 1950s, aligning with European integration efforts. The Fors-Penkun twinning connection often includes exchange visits by citizens, local officials, and youth groups to share experiences.
The core purposes of this twinning are: - Promoting friendship and cultural linkage between the two towns. - Encouraging youth engagement to foster understanding and dismantle stereotypes. - Enabling exchange of traditions, languages, and social customs.
By investing in the next generation and fostering cross-cultural friendships, the Fors-Penkun twinning and its German-French dance workshops serve as a reminder that cultural understanding and collaboration are vital foundations for peace.
