New information signs for Bocholt's twin towns

Eye-catching signs have now been erected at six town entrances in Bocholt to draw attention to Bocholt's town twinning programme. They replace the European blue signs from 1972.

In a modern light grey design, the signs show the partnerships that have existed for decades with Bocholt (Belgium), Rossendale (Great Britain) and Aurillac (France) as well as the new partnerships with the towns of Arpajon-sur-Cère (France) and Akmene (Lithuania).

The French twin town of Arpajon-sur-Cère was originally part of an administrative community with Aurillac in 1972, the year the town twinning was founded. It was only over the decades that the French municipality became independent, so that Bocholt now has two twin towns in France. The town twinning with the Akmene district was re-established by the city of Bocholt on 14 May 2022.

"Visible signs of living partnerships"

"These signs are visible signs of the town twinning programmes in the European city of Bocholt", says Petra Taubach, European Affairs Officer for the city of Bocholt. In Bocholt, the German-British and the German-French Society Bocholt e.V. are directly responsible for relations with the English and the two French twin towns. Relations with the other three twin towns are maintained by numerous associations, schools and organisations. In addition to the official twin towns, the city of Bocholt maintains friendships with the Chinese city of Wuxi and the Albanian city of Vlora.

The special bond with the neighbouring Netherlands is also shown on the new twinning signs. As a founding member of EUREGIO, the city of Bocholt has therefore included the Euregio logo with the words "Grenzenlose Zusammenarbeit" on the signs.

The successful European work of the city of Bocholt is reflected in the fact that the signs commemorate the highest honour for municipalities awarded by the Council of Europe, the Europe Prize, and the title "Community of Europe" awarded in 1972. A QR code on the signs leads to the city's website, where visitors can find more information about Bocholt's twin cities and international relations.

The cost of the six signs is 4,000 euros.