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Wiesbaden debates the future of town twinning in a changing Europe

Is town twinning still relevant in 2026? Residents, officials, and youth delegates clash over its future—no ticket needed, just curiosity.

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2 min read
The image shows an old map of a city with a lot of buildings, which is believed to be a plan of the...
The image shows an old map of a city with a lot of buildings, which is believed to be a plan of the city of Strand, Germany. The map is detailed and shows the various streets, buildings, and other features of the area.

Wiesbaden debates the future of town twinning in a changing Europe

Are Town Twinning Partnerships Outdated—or More Vital Than Ever? In Wiesbaden, experts debate Europe's future on a local scale. Between tradition, exchange, and fresh ideas, one question looms: Do we need these connections now more than ever?

Between Living Tradition, New Ideas, and the Search for Meaning: Wiesbaden Debates the Future of Town Twinning

Are they relics of a bygone era—or exactly what Europe needs today? Wiesbaden isn't content to ponder this quietly; it's bringing the discussion into the open. On Tuesday, April 28, the sam – Stadtmuseum am Markt invites the public to a debate on the future of town twinning partnerships.

Stadtmuseum am Markt: At a Glance

  • Panel Discussion:"Town Twinning—Obsolete Model or Bridge to the Future?"
  • Admission: Free
  • Date: Tuesday, April 28, 2026, 6:00 PM
  • Location: Stadtmuseum am Markt, Dern'sches Gelände, 65183 Wiesbaden

Wiesbaden currently maintains 18 partnerships—some nearly a century old, others brand new. They connect cities, clubs, and people who visit, exchange ideas, and engage in dialogue. In Naurod, for example, the bond with Fondettes recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. Numbers like these tell stories. But they don't answer the critical question: Do these relationships still carry weight—or just memories?

Negotiating Europe on a Local Scale

The panel brings together voices from politics, administration, and civil society to discuss funding programs, personal encounters, and the role of young people. Long gone are the days when town twinning was just about symbolic friendship certificates. Today, it's about exchange, values, and how Europe is lived day to day.

The discussion is part of the traveling exhibition "Tell Me About Europe!", which gathers and amplifies voices from across the continent. It makes one thing clear: Europe isn't built through treaties alone—it's shaped by storytelling, listening, and debate.

Panelists

  • RenĂŠ Brosius, Hessian State Chancellery, Deputy Head of Division IX – International and European Affairs
  • Christian Hepp, Head of Funding Management and European Affairs, City of Wiesbaden
  • Birgit Reichwald-Dohmes / Anke Henningsen, Royal Tunbridge Wells–Wiesbaden Association
  • Anna Hesse, High school graduate and youth representative, Naurod-Fondettes Partnership Association
  • Moderator: Dr. Martina Schaad, Chair of the Naurod-Fondettes Partnership Association, in collaboration with Wiebke Roth, Protocol Department, City of Wiesbaden

Admission is free—which may sound unremarkable, but it's an invitation: come, listen, challenge. Town twinning may often work quietly in the background. Yet perhaps that's where its strength lies.

Why Attend?

Because Europe is more than politics. Because memories build bridges. And because sometimes, all it takes is listening to understand.

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