Friedberg and Bressuire on a journey of discovery: Experience Brussels live!

Friedberg and Bressuire on a journey of discovery: Experience Brussels live!

A remarkable journey of two partnership committees from Germany and France finally took place. After the original planning in 2020, which was prevented by Coronapandemic, 43 participants from Friedberg and 47 from the French twin town of Bressuire made their way to Brussels. The group had just as much planned to explore the European institutions and to discover the cultural -historical treasures of the Flanders cities.

The trip was opened with a visit to the Bavarian representation in Brussels. This local representation is particularly important to represent Bavarian interests within the EU. It is located near the European Parliament, the central place of legislation in the European Union, where MPs from all member countries develop and decide on laws. It is particularly noteworthy that the European Parliament is the only body of the EU whose members are elected directly by the citizens.

Insights and explorations in Brussels

One of the highlights of the trip was the exchange with Alexander Dorow, a Bavarian member of the state parliament, which gave an insight into the work of the committee of the regions. This important committee was founded in 1995 and has the task of representing regions within the EU and protecting their interests. The participants had the opportunity to ask questions and to find out about the challenges and possibilities of regional representation in Europe.

To explore the city, some of the best-known sights were also part of Brüssels. These included the Grand Place, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the heart of the city, as well as the famous Manneken Pis. The atmosphere of the city center, paired with the historic flair and the impressive buildings, made the visit unforgettable. The atomium, a landmark that was built for the World Exhibition in 1958, also impressed the groups. Originally designed as a symbol for the nuclear age, it stands for the city's innovative strength today.

The exploration went beyond Brussels, Flandrische cities such as Bruges, Antwerp and Ghent were also visited. The participants received valuable information from expert city leaders about the cultural and historical background of the cities. Even the culinary delights did not fall by the wayside. The groups enjoyed Belgian beer, famous fries and chocolates in numerous shops, which also contributed to the good mood.

The exchange between the two groups was particularly remarkable. While several days of intensive learning about the EU, the culture and history of Belgium were spent, numerous sociable encounters also took place. Many meals together, conversations and a warm 'ProSit of Cosiness' strengthened the bonds between the participants and made the desire for future trips to their partner cities.

The journey of the partnership committees from Friedberg and Bressuire is not only an example of successful cooperation within Europe, but also a sign of how people can be connected to each other across cultural and national borders. For more information about this trip and the corresponding activities in Brussels, see the current reporting on www.augsburger-allgemeine.de .