Seven hundred kilometers separate Cloyes-les-Trois-Rivières (Eure-et-Loir) from Hatzfeld in Germany. However, the two twinned towns have never been as close as this Wednesday, December 17. Elected officials from the two municipalities and their twinning committees met via screen. Each exchange is punctuated by a translation from both sides.
“It is with deep gratitude and immense emotion that I take the floor,” first thanks Didier Révolution. In the hands of the mayor of Cloyes, a check for 4,100 euros, the sum offered by the inhabitants of Hatzfeld to help those affected by the floods last October. Three hundred homes were drowned by the Dormouse emerging from its bed. “This money will be intended for poor people, those for whom insurance will not cover a high proportion of the repairs. Beyond the amount, it is the gesture which is highly symbolic” guarantees the elected official.
The day after the floods, in Germany, the twinned municipality took action to send its aid, in particular by opening a kitty. Solidarity strengthens the unwavering bond between the two cities. “This proves that twinning is, above all, solidarity. We have been married for 45 years. A twinning is not just folklore, it is friendship, a secure friendship,” rejoices Simone Cousi, president of the Cloys twinning committee.
300,000 euros to restore the town
Dirk Junker, the mayor of Hatzfeld, continues in this direction. “During difficult times, you can count on your friends. From the first photos of the floods, it shocked us,” remembers the German. Although he himself recognizes that the amount of aid is certainly symbolic, it remains valuable and welcome, given the colossal damage suffered by Cloyes. “Our roads have been completely damaged,” recalls Didier Révolution. “In Douy, a path was devastated for a kilometer. The Émile Zola park and the Priory of Yron were devastated. The Douy multipurpose room which had just been redone last year must be completely renovated. The remainder is estimated to be 300,000 euros for the municipality. »
Cloyes will have the opportunity to thank Hatzfeld physically next year, since a delegation will go there to celebrate 46 years of twinning between the two municipalities.
