Gironde. This collective wants to strengthen the twinning of its municipality with Wöllstein

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In 1966, a twinning was concluded between the wine-growing communities of Barsac, in Gironde, and of Wöllstein, a town located in Germany, in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate. A twinning which made it possible to numerous exchanges over the last 58 years and which has strengthened thefriendship between France and Germany, at the end of the Second World War.

However, it seems that this dynamic has out of breath with time. This is why four Barsacais decided to create a collective to revive twinning. Its name: Friends of Wöllstein.

Bringing the people of Barsac together around the project

They also went to Wöllstein last summer and were welcomed “ warmly » by their hosts. An experience that convinced them togo further in the process and to invite as many Barsacais as possible to join the collective from this fall: children, teenagers, adults and seniors.

It must be recognized that our delegation was small: 14 people in total and mostly elderly people. It is clear that if this trend continued, twinning would die out on its own within 3 or 4 years. We consider it important to continue and renew these exchanges with Wöllstein and why not, other municipalities.

The four protagonists have already a starting plan to mobilize their fellow citizens: “We propose to mobilize the people of Barsac so that these people live and develop meetings. The first action that we propose is to disseminate wide information to residents and more particularly to young people. »

From the fall, we propose to set up information meetings. It would also be interesting to see how this subject could be addressed in a school environment… to modernize twinning.

A second visit planned for 2025

They would like to propose a second visit on site in July 2025 and think with other residents about common themes to share with their German friends “such as sportthe culturel’culinary art or the art of living… Interested Barsacais would be invited, whether or not they are directly involved in the twinning,” the collective has already announced.

Anyone who would like to get involved in the collective or would be interested in the activities offered is invited to contact its coordinators by email.

Finally, the collective denounces a lack of commitment on the part of the municipality of Barsac and would like to “make the town hall aware of the importance of this twinning and have more great involvement ».

Mayor responds to criticism

Questioned on this point, the mayor of the commune, Dominique Cavaillols, is clear: “Twinning does not belong to a municipal council, but to the commune…”

A twinning which is above all, according to him, inherited from history and peace between France and Germany. He justifies the probable disinterest of his citizens by the cost of trade between the two cities and the language barrier.

It has always been complicated to go to Germany or to bring Germans to the Barsacais home. It’s something expensive and not within the reach of all budgets and it’s the same thing on the German side.

A German delegation in 2025

Nevertheless, actions have already been announced by the town hall. For example, the placing a bouquet of flowers, in the presence of a German delegationis planned in front of the town hall next year. Its aim will be to duty of memory and to remember all the people at the origin of this twinning, many of whom have passed away today.

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