Decade-long journey of Marijampole collaborative group shifts towards a fresh path
In the heart of Europe, two cities have been forging a unique bond over the past decade. Bergisch Gladbach, a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, and Marijampole, a city in Lithuania, have been strengthening their city partnership through cultural, artistic, and humanitarian endeavours.
The working group Marijampole, an organisation dedicated to fostering these ties, is currently under new leadership. Gisela Schwarz will lead the artists' working group in expanding the art exchange, while Dennis Bracht, Anne Paweldyk's successor, is ready to take over the task of intensifying cooperation between the Lithuanian Samaritan Union and the German Workers' Samaritan Federation.
Ulrich Güster, a long-time member and managing director of the working group, has been elected as the new chairman. He has been instrumental in the close cooperation with the "Humanitarian Aid Bergisch Gladbach" association, which has resulted in continuous valuable aid shipments to Marijampole.
The expansion of encounters in the coming years will strengthen the city partnership. Numerous projects are planned, including a performance by the "Sinfonieorchester Bergisch Gladbach" in Marijampole, and intensifying cooperation between the Lithuanian Samaritan Union and the German Workers' Samaritan Federation.
One of the new projects is a basketball exchange for young people between "Bergische Löwen" and a sports club from Marijampole. Basketball, the national sport in Lithuania and enjoyed with great popularity, will undoubtedly be a highlight of this exchange.
Another exciting development is the planned exchange of choirs between the cities. The friendly relations between Bergisch Gladbach and Marijampole have deepened significantly over the past decade, and these cultural exchanges are a testament to this bond.
The Marijampole Working Group is looking for committed individuals who wish to contribute to the establishment of mutual encounters. If you are interested, you can reach out to Ulrich Güster at 0179 458 24 44 or [email protected].
However, for specific details about these exchanges, including the planned choir exchange and basketball exchange in 2025, I recommend checking official announcements or websites of the Bergisch Gladbach city administration or contacting their cultural and international relations offices directly for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
It's important to note that many Lithuanians feel insecure in their own country, living with the constant fear of a possible Russian invasion. The support from cities like Bergisch Gladbach, through organisations like the working group Marijampole, is a powerful demonstration of solidarity and friendship.
The working group Marijampole wants to show the people of Marijampole the solidarity of the people of Bergisch Gladbach. Over the years, recipients of this support include the Caritas of the Marijampole diocese and the state school "Žiburelio mokykla-daugiafunkcis centras" with around 200 children with and without disabilities.
The past ten years have seen numerous encounters shape the exchange between Bergisch Gladbach and Marijampole, including regular concert tours, art exhibitions, joint projects with the fashion label "Baltic Style", and official visits at the mayoral level. These exchanges have not only brought people together but have also fostered a spirit of understanding and friendship that transcends borders.
As we look forward to the next decade, it is clear that the city partnership between Bergisch Gladbach and Marijampole will continue to flourish, strengthening the bonds between two cities and their people.
Gisela Schwarz, as the new leader of the artists' working group, will expand the art exchange between the cities, while Dennis Bracht aims to intensify cooperation between the Lithuanian Samaritan Union and the German Workers' Samaritan Federation in the home-and-garden sector of their city partnership. In the future, there will be a basketball exchange for young people between "Bergische Löwen" and a sports club from Marijampole, showcasing the national sport of Lithuania, and a choir exchange between the cities, deepening the cultural bond.
