Day of German Unity - Friendship trip to Erlangen

On Sunday, 85 Jena residents took two buses to the twin city of Erlangen. This continued the tradition of reciprocal visits on October 3. Many people have been there many times before. A group of European volunteers, who will be living in Jena in the coming months, were in the Franconian city for the first time.

The ceremony was opened with a lively performance by young musicians from both cities. The two Lord Mayors Florian Janik and Thomas Nitzsche paid tribute to the personal encounters - friendships work through lively contact and only with difficulty at a distance.

Pastor Christian Dietrich, a native of Jenens, reflected on the high value of democracy in his speech "Resistance and Dignity" and recalled the climate of fear in the GDR era with many quotations. E was disappointed that only a few perpetrators of the GDR tyranny had to answer for their actions in court after East Germany became part of the Federal Republic. Too often the phrase "I don't know how I would have behaved in this situation" is put forward. In Dietrich's opinion, a clear confession is missing here: "But I know what injustice is".

The program was rounded off with a poetry slam by young people from Erlangen. An arc of suspense from overcoming walls to overcoming vegetable phobias was presented here.

The Berlin artist Jörg Amonat opened his exhibition project "Würdemenschen". This has already been shown in Jena.

In the further course of the wonderful sunny day, Erlangen offered guests guided tours of the city, a poetry slam workshop and the legendary pub quiz with Big Kev. The day ended with an ecumenical prayer service in St. Matthew's Church and singing together at Platz der deutschen Einheit.

Mayor Thomas Nitzsche cordially invited all Erlangen residents to Jena on October 3, 2022. This is when the 35th anniversary of the city partnership between Jena and Erlangen will be celebrated.