Bocholt celebrates city festival with many international guests

Bocholt is celebrating its 800th birthday for twelve months. A highlight of the anniversary year is now approaching: the town festival on Saturday, 14 May, will be all about Europe. Over 350 international guests from Bocholt's friendly and official twin towns will then be guests and take part in the festivities with activities. On the market square and in the city centre, there will be stalls and a stage with music, dance and international folklore.

Delegations are expected from Rossendale (Great Britain), Aurillac and Arpajon-sur-Cère (both France), Bocholt (Belgium), Akmene (Lithuania), Vlora (Albania), Wuxi (People's Republic of China) and the neighbouring Netherlands.

The European City Festival starts at 10 a.m. with a varied stage programme from the twin cities. Typical local music and dance groups will provide a glimpse into the traditions of their home countries until around 5.30 pm. The event will be presented by Radio WMW.

The official opening of the city festival by Mayor Thomas Kerkhoff will take place at 11 a.m. with the signing of the town twinning certificate between Bocholt and the Lithuanian region around Akmene. At the same time, a declaration of friendship will be signed with the Albanian city of Vlora.

The European city festival will conclude with a concert by the party band "Maraton", who will play into the evening hours and ensure a great atmosphere.

Overview of the stage programme

(between the individual performances there will be moderations and interviews with the twin towns)

10:00 a.m. Marching band "Drumband VMS" (NL)
10:20 a.m. Mariengymnasium with a "Mini-Europa-Revue" (D)
10:50 Dixieland Group Akmene (LIT)
11:00 a.m. Opening of the city festival by Mayor Thomas Kerkhoff
12:20 Ukulele group Rossendale (GB)
12:50 Dance from Belgium (B)
13:15 A Capella group "QuintaUno" (LIT)
13:40 Family choir "All Generation" (D)
14:05 Capella Cantica Bocholt (D)
14:35 Folklore group "Terradour Flouricat" (F)
15:10 Music school from Vlora (ALB)
15:40 Band "Milione" (B)
16:40 Band "ZELIGS" (F)
19:00 Band "Maraton" (D)

To coincide with the European City Festival, the European Gardens will take place from 13 May. Bocholt's horticultural businesses will conjure up little paradises in the city centre. In various themed gardens, tradition meets contemporary garden art, and a wide variety of plants from all over the world are waiting to be discovered.

All events in the year of the city's 800th anniversary can be found at www.bocholt800.de.