Adventurous city trip: BTV seniors explore German-French highlights

Adventurous city trip: BTV seniors explore German-French highlights

The BTV athletics seniors recently went on an exciting city trip to Kehl, Strasbourg and Colmar. A highlight of the trip was a guided tour in Kehl, during which the participants immersed themselves in the 1,000-year history of German-French relations. This cultural exploration highlighted the two nations' long, shared history and offered travelers the opportunity to learn more about the importance of these connections.

On the second day, the participants went to Strasbourg, where they visited, among other things, the European Parliament. The impressive building and the political history associated with it offered a fascinating insight into European cooperation. The evening was rounded off in a traditional brasserie with Alsatian specialties, giving participants the opportunity to enjoy regional cuisine.

Cultural heritage in Colmar

The third and final day of the trip took the group to Colmar, known for its rich architectural heritage. The city tour presented impressive buildings that were built over six centuries. Participants also learned about famous people such as Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi, the creator of the Statue of Liberty in New York. These historical insights left a lasting impression on the participants and underlined the cultural diversity of the region.

Overall, the trip ended with many positive impressions and a common agreement about the value of such experiences. Participants agreed that this trip was an exciting and educational opportunity.

Political dialogues and German-French relations

In a different context, an important meeting of the European Committees of the Federal Council and the French Senate took place on September 19 and 20, 2024. This event, which took place in Stuttgart and Strasbourg, covered a wide range of current topics, including the EU budget and the challenges in the area of ​​cohesion policy. In addition, the future enlargement of the EU was discussed and the effects on institutional functioning and common policy areas were analyzed.

The chairmen of the committees, Senator Jean-François Rapin and Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann, emphasized the role of Germany and France in the EU and the responsibility for European integration. Kretschmann emphasized the close friendship with France and referred to existing cooperation agreements between the Senate and the Federal Council. He noted that regular collaboration is essential to maintaining and strengthening relationships.

In addition, the importance of local and regional authorities in Franco-German relations was highlighted. Also at the meeting was Prof. Dr. Marc Ringel was present, who gave a speech on German-French friendship at the level of youth and civil society. Representatives from both countries, including Frédéric Bierry and members of the European Parliament, contributed to the discussion on the role of parliaments, masking the need to get closer to citizens and respect the principle of subsidiarity.

Overall, this meeting highlighted the close relationships between the chambers and the important dialogue between Germany and France to address current challenges.

For further information about the BTV Athletics Seniors city trip, you can download the report Rhenish advertising papers read up. Details about the discussions between the European Committees of the Federal Council and the French Senate can be found on the website Federal Council.