Students uncover Bergisch Gladbach's postwar sister-city roots through oral history
Herkenrath Grammar School is initiating a new project management endeavor to explore the history of Bergisch Gladbach's earliest sister-city partnerships. The initiative focuses on the years following World War II, when the city first established ties with towns across Europe. Students will gather stories and artifacts from locals who experienced those early exchanges.
The project centers on the city's first three sister-city agreements, signed on July 14, 1956. Bergisch Gladbach officially partnered with Bourgoin-Jallieu in France, Luton in England, and Velsen in the Netherlands. These connections marked the beginning of a wider network that now includes 11 cities across nine countries.
The school is inviting residents to share personal memories, photographs, letters, or keepsakes from the 1950s and 1960s. Relatives of those involved in early exchange trips or meetings are also encouraged to share their family's accounts. The aim is to give students direct access to the experiences of people who lived through Europe's postwar reconciliation.
Bergisch Gladbach's twinning office is supporting the effort by helping to locate potential contributors. Their records may assist in tracking down individuals or families linked to the early partnerships. The project hopes to preserve these firsthand perspectives before they are lost to time.
By collecting these stories, the school wants to build a clearer picture of how the city's international relationships began. The focus remains on the original three agreements, though later partnerships will also be noted in the research.
The findings will provide students with a tangible link to Bergisch Gladbach's postwar history. The collected materials may also be shared with the public, ensuring the stories of these early exchanges are not forgotten. Anyone with relevant memories or items is invited to contact the school or the twinning office.
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