Words of Welcome

On May 7, 1997, the transatlantic partnership between Barrie in the Canadian province of Ontario and the Rhineland-Palatinate city of Zweibrücken was founded. This partnership traces its roots back to the presence of the Royal Canadian Air Force in Zweibrücken where between the years 1953 and 1969 the R.C.A.F. was at home at the Zweibrücken aerodrome.

During this time, members of the Air Force and their families made many friends with the citizens of Zweibrücken, friendships which continue to this day – more than fifty years after the departure of the Air Force personnel. The contacts have endured, and these friendships continue to flourish in many ways despite the thousands of kilometers distance between our two countries. Twenty-five years ago, this friendly relationship culminated in the official twinning of our municipalities.

For me, it is a great benefit to see that through youth encounters and student exchanges, this friendship will also be carried on by future generations. This transatlantic partnership is thus constantly being further developed and allows the mutual, intercultural understanding and respect of young people for each other to mature. Finally, it is the official delegations as well as the German Canadian friendship clubs in both cities that are helping to keep this partnership active and lively. My special thanks go out to these clubs for their indispensable involvement, which adds significant value to the partnership.

Even during the pandemic, our close friendship has not been damaged. Despite personal meetings not being possible, the use of video conferences and the written exchanges remained to show that we were there for each other, even in difficult times. I am looking forward to more exchanges with our Canadian friends in the future in order to promote and strengthen the partnership of the people of both our cities and countries.

Dr. Marold Wosnitza

Lord Mayor of Zweibrücken