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International, Europe and town twinning
Not only is Münster a city which is known as the major centre of the Münsterland region but also as a city that is present on the international stage. For decades, the city of Münster has been involved in town twinning with nine other cities around the world, one inner-German town friendship and one special relation with Braniewo in Poland. Moreover, there is a partnership between Münster-Hiltrup and the French town of Beaugency. The relationships between the cities are multifaceted and are filled with life by the administration as well as by the citizens.
Furthermore, the city of Münster is part of the European network EUROCITIES, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions, EUREGIO, MONT and ECCAR. By participating in these networks, the city of Münster plays an active role in shaping Europe’s multicultural identity.
The international work of the city of Münster is complemented by expert delegations from around the globe as well as international project cooperations. Moreover, the topics municipal development cooperation and Fairtrade are important issues in the international office of Münster.
Enschede - new town twinning
Town twinning No. 10: Münster – Enschede
“If we don’t live Europe on a small scale, we can’t succeed on a large scale,” says First Mayor Markus Lewe, deeply convinced that, especially in challenging times, people must stick together across borders. In this context, on Europe Day (May 9, 2020), the twinning of Enschede and Münster was to be a further strong sign that the European community is a strong one. However, the Corona crisis in 2020 put a spanner in the works. Now the ceremony will take place again: after a joint meeting of the administrative boards of Enschede and Münster on 21 September 2021, the partnership deed will be signed in the Peace Hall. Unfortunately, only invited guests will be able to attend due to the restrictions imposed by the corona.
Joan of Arc Exhibition
Jeanne d'Arc - a true heroine
During the upcoming weeks, the international office in cooperation with the diocese Münster shows an exhibition about the French national heroine Jeanne d’Arc. The city of Orléans has endowed the bilingual information board on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the canonisation in 2020 to the city of Münster. You are invited to visit the Domgasse to explore the traces by Jeanne d’Arc. We request you to respect the general rules regarding hygiene and distance.
30 years of town twinning Münster-Lublin
German-Ponish Youth Project
Actors from the areas of education and culture wanted
To intensify the friendships between the youth of Münster and Lublin and set new impulses, new ways will be explored during the anniversary year. That is why Münster, Lublin, and their second German twin city Delmenhorst applied for the participation in the educational and networking project “At mine and at yours: Youth exchange within the framework of the German-Polish municipal partnerships” by the German-Polish youth office (DPJW). More than 150 municipalities have shown interest. The tripartite alliance Münster- Lublin- Delmenhorst as well as 16 other municipal partnerships have now gotten the confirmation of participation.
More info on the project
German-French Youth Project
One planet - one friendship - one (E)mission!
Within the framework of the project "The planet in your hands", initiated by the Franco-German Youth Organization (OFAJ/ DFJW), young people from Münster and Orléans work together in creating an online journal. Using the title "One Planet - One Friendship - One (E)mission!", the journal covers topics related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Each month, informative short videos provide insight regarding mobility, water, waste, energy and biodiversity from both twin cities. The project is carried out in cooperation with the Bennohaus Münster, the Youth Council and the Regional Youth Information Center Orléans and with the support of the cities of Orléans and Münster.
Click here for the videos: The planet in your hands
Photo: Barbara Schragen
National heroes of the Second World War
In February, Münster’s twin town in Russia, Ryazan, invited participants to an international online exchange on ways of remembering the Second World War today. Experts from Italy, France, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Russia presented their approaches in a "round table discussion". For Münster, Thomas Köhler (Villa ten Hompel) spoke about “silent heroes”: courageous people who helped persecuted people during the Nazi era, risking their own lives.
Impressions from the “round table discussion”
(russian and english)
Partnership deed
40 years of town twinning Münster – Rishon LeZion
It was January 19, 1981 when Mayor of Rishon LeZion, Hananya Gibstein, and Münster’s First Mayor, Dr. Werner Pierchalla, solemnly signed the certificate to seal the city partnership. On the anniversary, the Israeli flag is hoisted at the City Wine House. It draws attention to four decades of intense and friendly relations between our two cities. Whether this long-standing partnership can be officially celebrated, too, has not yet been determined in view of the current restrictions to fight the corona pandemic.
75 years of peace
1945 – 2020: 75 years of peace
Commemoration after the World War II
The year 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. Causing over 60 million deaths, the Second World War was the bloodiest conflict in the history of the world. A war that was started in Germany brought horror over Europe and the whole world. The majority of Germans stands by the historical responsibility that arises from this war. As a city of peace, Münster wanted to take on this responsibility in particular. Together with its twin towns, the city of Münster commemorated the terrible events on November 20 and at the same time set a sign for peace in Europe and worldwide. Due to the corona pandemic, the memorial event took place via video conference.
Impressions from the video conference
Reception in the Friedenssaal
30 years of town twinning Münster – Mühlhausen
An eight-member delegation from Mühlhausen, led by Mayor Dr. Johannes Bruns, came to Münster on October 2 to take part in this year’s non-public ceremony marking German Unity Day at the town hall. This was followed by an anniversary celebration on the 30th anniversary of town twinning. Unfortunately, due to the corona crisis, only a few guests from Mühlhausen and Münster could attend the celebration. The city dean Jörg Hagemann held a peace service in the Lambertikirche. The German Amateur Radio Club Münster set up a radio bridge to Mühlhausen on that day.
Reception in the Friedenssaal
Partnership with a focus on climate
The round anniversary with guests from Monastir was celebrated in Münster. At the invitation of First Mayor Markus Lewe, a delegation from the Tunisian twin city visited Münster from September 11 to 14, 2019. The partnership Münster – Monastir has gained momentum on the occasion of its 50th anniversary. In recent months, citizens’ trips by the Münster – Monastir Circle of Friends have led to Tunisia, and new connections have been forged, for example a school partnership. Regarding the cooperation between the city administrations, a lot is happening, too. Both municipalities have established a climate partnership and have undertaken to jointly develop an action plan for both cities within two years.
August 12, 1989
30 years of town twinning Münster – Ryazan
At the invitation of First Mayor Markus Lewe, a delegation from the Russian twin city, led by Mayor Yulia Rokotyanskaya, visited Münster from June 15 to 20, 2019. During the official visit as part of the 30th anniversary, there was not only a celebration, but also a professional exchange. As regards the latter, priority was given to topics like “climate protection”, “energy-efficient construction and renovation”, “climate-friendly construction” and “climate-friendly mobility concepts”.