Representatives and locals from both Oxford and German twin Bonn came together during the weekend to celebrate Bürgerfest.

The festival, which roughly translates as ‘citizen’ in German, brought together people from both cities in the spirit of international community, connection and friendship.

This week, Oxford marked 75 years of friendship with Bonn through a series of concerts, exhibitions and events.

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Oxford Mail: The event was opened by representatives from both Bonn and Oxford The event was opened by representatives from both Bonn and Oxford

The link between Oxford and the German city on the banks of the Rhine was one of the first to be established in a twinning programme of post-war reconciliation between the UK and Germany in 1947.

The long-standing twinning links have seen school exchanges, artistic projects, sports tournaments and social get-togethers in both Bonn and Oxford.

Bürgerfest took place in Gloucester Green on Saturday (June 19) and was opened by the Lord Mayor of Oxford - councillor James Fry - the District Mayor of the District of Bonn - Jochen Reeh-Schall - and the newly appointed German ambassador -Miguel Berger.

Oxford East MP Anneliese Dodds also came to support the event. 

Oxford Mail: Lord Mayor of Oxford - councillor James Fry - the District Mayor of the District of Bonn - Jochen Reeh-Schall – the he newly appointed German ambassador - Miguel Berger – and Oxford East MP Anneliese Dodds. Lord Mayor of Oxford - councillor James Fry - the District Mayor of the District of Bonn - Jochen Reeh-Schall – the he newly appointed German ambassador - Miguel Berger – and Oxford East MP Anneliese Dodds.

Mr Fry told the Oxford Mail the city “really wants to encourage” the twinning link with Bonn, especially amongst young people who live in Oxford.

He pointed out that the friendships made during twinning events can “last for decades”.

He said: “The great thing is seeing the school children, the children really love it.

“The sad thing is the number who come from there are usually much greater than the number who go from here.”

Mr Berger, who has only been in the role of German ambassador for three weeks, said “these twins are very essential to this relationship between the UK and Germany.”

He noted many of the UK’s twinning links with Germany were established after the war and continue to unite people three generations on.

Oxford Mail: The Bonn Choir performing The Bonn Choir performing

After Bürgerfest was officially opened, festival goers were able to enjoy a community performance stage which saw musicians, dancers and singers from Oxford and Bonn perform, as well as street food stalls.

In a particular highlight, the Bonn Choir performed a series of German songs as well as John Lennon's Imagine in English.

Oxford Mail: Bürgerfest translates as 'citizen' in GermanBürgerfest translates as 'citizen' in German

Onlookers were encouraged to join in with the choir, which was comprised of young people, in the spirit of connection between the cities.

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Other events that were held to mark the 75th twinning anniversary included performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony by the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra, an exhibition of contemporary art and poetry on the theme of trees called PoeTREE Exhibition and a family fun day.

Oxford Mail: Onlookers were treated to music, dance and performancesOnlookers were treated to music, dance and performances

Oxford is currently twinned with seven cities - Bonn (Germany), Leiden (Netherlands), Grenoble (France), Wroclaw (Poland), Leon (Nicaragua), Ramallah (Palestine) and Padua (Italy).

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This story was written by Sophie Perry. She joined the team in 2021 as a digital reporter.

You can get in touch with her by emailing: sophie.perry@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @itssophieperry

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