On Friday, 10 October 2025 at 11 a.m., the time has come: the friendship tree that we received from Mayor Marie-Line Cirre during the Citizens’ Meeting 2025 in Saint-Florent-sur-Cher will find its new home on the threshing floor in Neu-Anspach. Under the expert guidance of district forester Christian Wählert and under the supervision of Mayor Birger Strutz as well as members and sympathisers of our association and Waldliebe e.V., the planting will be carried out.
We hope that the noble Nordmann fir feels at home in the Taunus, that it takes its role as a friendship tree very seriously and that it grows and flourishes.
More about the family of our friendship tree:
If there is one tree that is perfect for our friendship, then it is the Nordmann fir. Sturdy, patient, weatherproof – and with a penchant for international understanding.
On Friday, 10 October 2025, our friendship tree will find its place in the Taunus. Its siblings are already in our twin towns: one in Saint-Florent-sur-Cher in France and another in Šentjur in Slovenia. Three trees, three countries – and one common idea: friendship that grows.
The Nordmann fir (Abies nordmanniana) originally comes from the Caucasus. It is therefore naturally accustomed to international relationships. No wonder it feels so at home here. It stands for constancy, for evergreen togetherness – and for the fact that friendship also needs regular care (although hopefully less watering).
Our friendship tree connects Neu-Anspach, Saint-Florent-sur-Cher and Šentjur in a very natural way – literally with roots that grow in the same direction: towards Europe.
08.10.2025; Reading time: 4 minutes
Europe today rarely appears as serene and sublime as Giambattista Tiepolo painted it on the ceiling of the Würzburg Residence.
On the ceiling fresco by the Italian master – the largest continuous monumental painting in the world – the personification of Europe rests half enthroned, half reclining on clouds, surrounded by symbols of power, science and art.
A picture of impressive lightness and at the same time of great significance: Europe as a connection, not as a demarcation. It is precisely this motif that characterises this year’s one-day excursion organised by the Neu-Anspach Association for the Promotion of International Relations – the kick-off could hardly have been more fitting.
As in previous years, the trip is organised around a common theme: “European locations – yesterday, today and tomorrow.“
On the Day of German Unity, around forty European and town twinning enthusiasts from Neu-Anspach and the surrounding area set off for the European city of Würzburg.
Paul-Werner Geis provides a lively introduction on the bus – with stories, anecdotes and a humorous look at the eventful history of the old royal seat.
And because culture is best combined with a good foundation, traditional refreshments are also a must: Worscht and Weck (sausages & and in proper style and on the go, are the perfect start to a day on which Europe can be experienced in many different ways.
History comes to life in the Würzburg Residence, one of the most important baroque buildings in Europe. Two dedicated art educators from the city of Würzburg guide the group through the state rooms, staircase and imperial hall – places where power, art and the European spirit come together in an impressive way.
The view up to the ceiling painting by Giambattista Tiepolo leaves no one unimpressed: a world allegory unfolds over 600 square metres, in which Europe, Asia, Africa and America appear as figures on clouds – symbols of a time when the world was opening up and Europe was seeking its place in it.
The mixture of architectural austerity and picturesque lightness, of Balthasar Neumann’s spatial art and Tiepolo’s blaze of colour, conveys a sense of why the Residence is a UNESCO World Heritage Site – and why it is still admired today as the epitome of Baroque perfection.
A little further on, in the town hall with its impressive hall of arms, participants discover the flags of Würzburg’s twin towns. From Caen, the oldest partnership, to Lviv and the most recent links with Italy – each flag symbolises a friendship that transcends borders.
For more than 60 years, Würzburg has nurtured vibrant connections in all directions. Each partnership stands for encounter, exchange, and what Europe represents at its best: friendship across borders.
🇫🇷 Caen (France, since 1962)
The oldest twin city – a symbol of Franco-German reconciliation. Students, choirs, and associations still maintain close ties with the Norman university city today.
🏴 Dundee (Scotland, United Kingdom, since 1962)
A partnership rooted in science, education, and culture – two dynamic university cities united by openness and creativity.
🇺🇸 Rochester (USA, since 1964)
A transatlantic partnership born in the spirit of post-war friendship, sustained by personal encounters and school exchanges.
🇹🇿 Mwanza (Tanzania, since 1966)
Würzburg’s bridge to Africa – with numerous projects in education, medicine, and development cooperation. One of the oldest German–African city partnerships.
🇯🇵 Ōtsu (Japan, since 1979)
The “Pearl of Lake Biwa” – marked by exchanges between schools, orchestras, and cultural groups.
A visible sign of this friendship is the Japanese Garden on the Landesgartenschau grounds, designed after the gardens of Ōtsu. The Japanese Tea House in the Hofgarten also reflects this spirit – a touch of the Far East amid Franconian baroque.
🇪🇸 Salamanca (Spain, since 1980)
Two historic university cities united by a love of culture, history, and joie de vivre – Europe for studying, experiencing, and enjoying.
🇩🇪 Suhl (Thuringia, Germany, since 1988)
Established before German reunification – a symbol of understanding and enduring friendship within Germany.
🇸🇪 Umeå (Sweden, since 1992)
Young, creative, and environmentally conscious – Würzburg’s partner in the far north. Both cities share a strong focus on culture, education, and sustainability.
🇮🇪 Bray (Ireland, since 1999)
Irish hospitality meets Franconian spirit: a lived European friendship through music, exchange, and good cheer.
🇺🇦 Lviv / Lemberg (Ukraine, since 2023)
A sign of solidarity with Ukraine – expressing active European responsibility and new friendships.
🇮🇹 Syracuse (Sicily, Italy, since 2025)
The newest partnership in southern Europe: Mediterranean lifestyle, ancient culture, and sunny inspiration for Würzburg’s European network.
In the neighbouring council chamber, the monumental wall painting by Wolfgang Lenz (1984-1987) captivates visitors: 37 intertwining scenes tell 1300 years of Würzburg’s history. Lenz’s clay spatula technique gives the figures movement, while the moment of war destruction – concealed behind a black cloth – creates a touching stillness.
The monumental work by Wolfgang Lenz was created between 1984 and 1987 and is considered one of the most impressive examples of modern history painting in southern Germany. Covering around 280 square meters, it unfolds as a panorama of 37 interwoven scenes that bring 1300 years of Würzburg’s city history to life.
In his characteristic clay spatula technique, Lenz combines precise historical detail with painterly movement. Scenes such as the mission of Saint Kilian, the construction of the Old Main Bridge, the founding of the university in 1402, and the Baroque era with Balthasar Neumann and Tiepolo reflect the city’s transformation through the centuries. Between them are subtle references to the persecutions of Jews and witch trials – events Lenz intentionally did not omit.
The moment of wartime destruction in 1945 is not depicted, but rather hidden behind a black cloth – an artistic gesture symbolizing both Würzburg’s loss and its rebirth. The reconstruction appears in bright tones, a symbol of hope and solidarity.
On the occasion of Wolfgang Lenz’s 100th birthday in 2025, the work was honored once again – as the legacy of an artist who did not just portray history, but made it tangible. His mural remains to this day the visual memory of modern Würzburg.
Walking across the Old Main Bridge, the group encounters Europe once again – this time in stone, in the form of baroque saints and patron saints who have watched over the Main and the city for centuries. The figures of St Kilian, St Nepomuk and St Afra reflect the cultural roots and connections that have shaped Würzburg far beyond Franconia.n.
While many visitors and locals enjoy the view over the river in glorious October weather, a glass of Franconian wine in their hand, this very special Würzburg attitude to life is created – a relaxed dialogue between yesterday and today, between baroque scenery and living Europe in the here and now.
After so much art and history, the leisurely part follows: a meal together in Veitshöchheim on the banks of the Main with Franconian specialities. Finally, the route leads to the centre of Europe – an inconspicuous place with great symbolism.
Here, where the geographical centre of the continent is located, Europe’s diversity can once again be felt directly over a sparkling glass of champagne.
A big thank you to Silke Jeltsch-Strempel and her husband Jürgen Strempel, who organised and accompanied the excursion, and to the always cheerful driver from Gutacker-Reisen, who ensured a relaxed trip.
The travelling group itself is also a piece of lived internationality: people from Neu-Anspach and the surrounding area, united by curiosity and openness – with roots in France, Slovenia, Spain, Pakistan, Brazil and from many regions of Germany.
This international mix ensures lively conversations, lots of laughter and a wonderful desire to travel, even on the bus. And although the day started early, the mood is wide awake right from the start – Europe in conversation, Europe on the move.
This is how Europe presents itself on this day: diverse, approachable, cheerful – and with a touch of baroque lightness, just like Tiepolo.
And if you now feel like discovering a piece of Europe for yourself, it’s worth taking a look at our photo gallery. There you can see what words can only hint at – and what is an incentive and motivation for us as the association’s board to organise and hold such events. We want to encourage our members and those who want to become members to take part and join in.
8 October 2025, reading time 3 minutes
With his programme “Die Vereinigten Träume von Europa” (The United Dreams of Europe), Sebastian Schnoy brings political cabaret to the stage of the Neu-Anspach Community Centre on 21 September 2025 – with great success.
The hall is filled to capacity as the Neu-Anspach Association for the Promotion of International Relations hosts this evening event.
Schnoy guides the audience through Europe’s political landscape with sharp wit, rapid-fire dialogue and a keen sense of nuance. Whether it’s populism, bureaucracy or everyday fears – no one is spared, but everything is presented in an appreciative and humorous way. Alternating between ironic and serious moments, he manages to strike a balance between entertainment and political commentary.
The Hamburg cabaret artist analyses why people seek stability in times of crisis – and shows with a great deal of self-irony that fear is not a good advisor. In doing so, he takes aim at all sides: right-wing populists as well as left-wing ideologues and bourgeois complacency. “More and more people are keen on dictatorship,” Schnoy states pointedly – and at the same time shows how important democratic awareness and civil courage remain.
Schnoy also addresses difficult topics – from anti-Semitism to hatred and hate speech on the internet. With a clear stance and satirical bite, he makes it clear that democracy only works when people get involved and take a stand. The audience’s applause is correspondingly loud: an evening that makes you think, but above all conveys courage and confidence.
The evening also serves as a reminder that town twinning is not just about annual citizen meetings, but that the association lives and breathes its connection with its twin towns of Saint-Florent-sur-Cher, Šentjur and Thalgau all year round. A European cabaret evening that plays with stereotypes and provocations also contributes to understanding and friendship across borders.
This brings the European idea to life once again: through humour, dialogue and shared experiences.
20.10.2024, reading time 5 minutes
How often do you look out of the bus window and think to yourself: “Oh, this is going to be another one of the usual city tours”? Not on this day and not with this club!
A captivating journey through time began on the coach: Paul-Werner Geis took the travellers on an exciting anecdote-filled tour of the House of Nassau, its connections to European royal houses and the many traces it has left behind in towns such as Dillenburg. And so the journey to the Oranienstadt began – full of surprises and historical treasures.
In high spirits and with eager curiosity, the group from Neu-Anspach set off on a tour of discovery through the late Baroque town centre of Dillenburg. Every metre of the half-timbered houses in Wilhelmstraße, built from the stones of the old castle, told its own story. From the Orangerie Carriage Museum, built in 1719, to the imposing Wilhelmsturm tower high above the city, where the history of Nassau and Nassau-Oranien came to life – the city proved to be a veritable European history book that aroused curiosity.
After a well-earned break with Mediterranean specialities in the Liebezeit restaurant, the adventure continued: a tour through the casemates of Dillenburg was on the agenda. Brave participants descended into the underground passages and defence systems that were once built for 2,000 soldiers and made the town virtually impregnable. The highlight? The view into the 62 metre deep Löwenbrunnen – an impressive moment deep in the “underworld” of Dillenburg.
On the return journey, the impressions were vivid and the mood enthusiastic. The first ideas for the 2025 excursion were doing the rounds. Who knows where the next trip will take us? Suggestions are very welcome under the motto “European locations – yesterday, today and tomorrow”. Please send them to vorstand@vzfib-neu-anspach.de!
Ein herzliches Dankeschön geht an die Landesstiftung “Miteinander in Hessen”, die die Fahrt mit einer Förderung unterstützt hat.
Every year since 2009, 48 young people from the three twin towns of Saint-Florent-sur-Cher, Sentjur and Neu-Anspach have come together to spend a week experiencing Europe, getting to know other cultures, working together in workshops and having fun.
Financially supported by sponsors such as Mainova, ErasmusPlus, the twin towns and local companies, the participants only incur low costs. Thanks to the voluntary work of the members of the Association for the Promotion of International Relations (VzFiB), the town twinning committees in Sentjur and Saint-Florent-sur-Cher, the co-operating schools Adolf-Reichwein-Schule, Collège Voltaire and in Sentjur with Osnovna šola Dramlje, Osnovna sola Hrusevec and Osnovna sola Slivnica, the municipalities and the students themselves, a great programme is created, organised, carried out and evaluated every year.
The highlights from 2024 are available here to browse through in the digital photo book
And if you would like to hold the book in your hands in printed form or give it as a gift, you can order it at cost price of €35. Simply send a short email to vorstand@vzfib-neu-anspach.de.
A colourful and varied overview of the projects and highlights of Encounter 2024 – just click on the button and enjoy…A colourful and varied overview of the projects and highlights of Encounter 2024 – just click on the button and enjoy…
05.05.2024, Reading time 2 minutes
NEW: With detailed programme in D, F, SLO. It’s time again – Neu-Anspach invites you to an exciting town meeting under the inspiring motto “Changing Perspectives in Europe”. This time we welcome the citizens of our twin towns Saint-Florent-sur-Cher in France and Sentjur in Slovenia. Together we want to look beyond our own backyards and exchange views on the diversity of European cultures and perspectives.
The programme for this meeting promises to be a rich and enriching experience for guests and hosts alike. We start with an ecumenical travelling blessing and a drink where we can celebrate the reunion with our friends and have initial discussions.
The next day, we head to Europe’s largest cold-water geyser in Andernach. Firstly, we visit the modern and interactive museum. This is followed by a short boat trip on the Rhine, which takes us to this extraordinary natural spectacle.
On Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, we will be hosting an information stand at the Bürgerhaus Neu-Anspach to provide information about the European elections on 9 June. With a wheel of fortune, quizzes, prizes and numerous brochures for all ages, there will be plenty of new things to discover. The highlight of the meeting will be the closing evening, where we will celebrate the diversity of our home countries.
This citizens’ meeting is the perfect opportunity to strengthen our partnerships, gain new perspectives and strengthen our ties as European citizens. We look forward to warmly welcoming our guests from France and Slovenia and sharing unforgettable moments together.
01.04.2024, reading time 3 minutes
NEW: programme in GERMAN, FRENCH AND SLOVENIAN.
On 5 May 2024, it’s off again! 48 young people from Saint-Florent-sur-Cher, Sentjur and Neu-Anspach will come together for 6 days to learn, have fun, see further than the end of their noses, communicate with their hands and feet, discover their love of the forest, feel the power of water, cross borders and boundaries through sport, games and art, and experience Europe at first hand.
This is only possible thanks to the town of Neu-Anspach, our cooperation partner – the Adolf-Reichwein School – and the donors and sponsors who contribute financially and provide ideas, suggestions and creative solutions.
Many thanks to the organisers, the schools, the committees and the municipalities of Sentjur and Saint-Florent-sur-Cher!
We would like to make a special mention of the Klaus-Tschira Foundation, which is giving its strong support and encouragement to our project.
Spring is not only the time of new beginnings in nature, but also at the Association for the Promotion of International Relations.
On 7 March, the association gathered for its annual general meeting, and it was a meeting of encounters and exchanges!
With beaming faces and full of enthusiasm, important decisions were made and exciting plans forged to take the association’s activities to a new level this year.
New and familiar faces on the Executive Board
The members of the association voted in favour of a number of new board positions. Silke Jeltsch-Strempel was confirmed as deputy chairwoman, while Hartmut Klein took over as treasurer. Ulrike Redlich was also confirmed as secretary. In addition, Ute Chandoni-Goebel, Manfred Bletz, Klaus Hoffmann and Paul-Werner Geis were elected as assessors. Together with Helga Feller as 1st Chairperson, Andreas Braum as Deputy Chairperson and Mario Graser as Assessor, they form the newly composed Board team. A big thank you goes to the two Board members Christa Malik and Oliver Dittberner, who left the Board for personal reasons.
Exciting events in the pipeline
In addition to the board elections, there are two exciting events coming up. Firstly, the citizens’ meeting with friends from Šentjur and Saint Florent sur Cher promises to be an unforgettable experience. The programme also includes the trinational youth project with young people from the Adolf Reichwein School, the Collège Voltaire and the Osnovna šola Dramlje under the motto “Changing Perspectives in Europe”. As with previous youth projects, the patron of the youth project is Holger Bellino. 🌍
Call to members and friends of the association
But wait a minute! The association still needs hosts for the citizens’ meeting! It is a unique opportunity to welcome guests from the twin towns of Saint-Florent-sur-Cher 🇫🇷 and Sentjur 🇸🇮 and to gain intercultural experience. Anyone interested can register via the website of the Neu-Anspach Association for the Promotion of International Relations.
A key to the diversity and unity of Europe
The Association for the Promotion of International Relations firmly believes that town twinning is the key to diversity and unity in Europe. Let’s show Europe at its best together and build bridges between cultures!
And what else? Here is an outlook on further activities and a call for participation!
All those interested in Europe should make a note of the Taunusmesse in Neu-Anspach on 13 and 14 April. We will be there with our wheel of fortune to provide information about the European elections on 9 June 2024 and encourage voter turnout.
Also make a note: On 4 May, this year’s Europe Day of the Hochtaunuskreis will take place in the municipality of Schmitten, where we will present and celebrate our town twinnings.
We would like to thank everyone who attended the General Assembly and are ready for an exciting time full of intercultural encounters and new adventures!
„Together in joy!” – “In Freude vereint!” – „Ensemble dans la joie”
Trinational Youth Project 2023 in Šentjur
The Slovenian organisers have created an absolutely fitting motto for the 13th town twinning youth project: “Together in joy!” This includes a multifaceted programme that has been assessed and financially supported by ErasmusPlus, the EU’s mobility programme for young people. With great hospitality, various activities and lots of fun, 24 Slovenian hosts – pupils from the primary and secondary school in Dramlje (Šentjur) – await the 12 young people from Neu-Anspach and Saint-Florent-sur-Cher in France. This time, the tutors from Germany are Michaela Schmidt for the Adolf Reichwein School and Andreas Braum for the Association for the Promotion of International Relations. From France, Sandrine Gatinois and her colleague Caroline Alger from the College Voltaire will accompany the pupils. The organising team of the Slovenian school is the headmistress Mirjana Aužner and the two teachers Mitjar Logar and Simon Hebar, who are supported by the staff of the Youth Centre in Sentjur Lara Zmaher and Ines Zelič.
One of the young people from Neu-Anspach, Fianna Gubisch, reports:
The first thing that was done on arrival in Dramlje, a district belonging to Šentjur, was of course a photo of all the exchange partners together. As everyone was exhausted from the journey, which partly took place overnight, the rest of the day was spent with the host families, as in the previous year.
When it finally started on Monday, everyone got to know each other better through various games and discovered the school. At noon, we had a honey picnic where we could taste different types of honey.
The following day, after a short warm-up programme, we went into the workshops: Cooking, using herbs for cosmetics and food and creating a barefoot park. Unfortunately, the following hike could not take place due to heavy rain, but was replaced by the preparations for Saturday. On Saturday evening, the hosts and the guests of the civic encounter and the youth project met for the common evening event, where they ate, danced, sang and simply celebrated.
A very special guest gift was developed by Ines Zelič and Lara Zmaher from the Šentjur Youth Centre. With a lot of commitment and creativity, they created a photo book of all the youth projects so far.
For those who want to discover the highlights and activities of the twinning youth projects since 2009, go to the digital photo album here.
