Partner towns: Bischofsheim
The partnership agreement signed on 31st March 1990 officially started the cooperation between Dzierżoniów and Bischofsheim (Hessen, Germany). However, the first talks on cooperation took place much earlier – the first proposal to work together was put forward by the Germans in April 1987. At that time, town authorities in Dzierżoniów were not allowed to take the decision on their own. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had to issue a permit to sing the agreement. Having dealt with all the formalities, Dzierżoniów became the first town in Eastern Europe which signed the partnership agreement.
The main ceremony of signing the agreement took place at the cinema in Dzierżoniów. The document was signed by: Lucjan Węgiel - governor of Dzierżoniów, Berthold Doss - mayor of Bischofsheim and the heads of town councils - Edward Skwarło and Hugo Berg.
The second official ceremony took place on 6th October 1990 in the Municipal Building in Bischofsheim. The authorities of Dzierżoniów were represented by: mayor Andrzej Bartoszyński and the head of the town council Mateusz Cegiełka.
The German partner town of Dzierżoniów is situated in Gross – Gerau district on the river Main at the mouth of the river Rhine. The population of Bischofsheim is about 13 thousand people. In spite of the luck of widely developed industry, the town has lively cultural life with many associations, theme groups and sport teams.
One of the most thriving fields of cooperation is culture. Both towns are realizing a program which intends the exchange of amateur musicians as well as artistic, dance and theatre groups. One of many occasions to presents their talents are the official celebrations of the towns’ days. Dzierżoniów’s Days and Dzierżoniów Commercial Presentations are great opportunity to see German artists on stage (e.g. Rock Band or the choir of the Music School Mainspitze), whereas Polish artists perform in Bischofsheim during official festivals there.
Thanks to all the concerts played together, many friendships have been made among the artists. The partner exchange organized by the associations, clubs and councils of both towns has let many families from Dzierżoniów and Bischofsheim establish close and long lasting bonds. Citizens of Bischofsheim who visit Dzierżoniów are invited by our families to stay in their private houses. Also, our delegations visiting Bischofsheim are put up and looked after by German families.
In 2010 Dzierżoniów celebrated the 20th anniversary of signing the partnership agreement with Bischofsheim. Both sides had prepared very well for that occasion and organized wonderful jubilee celebrations in Dzierżoniów and Bischofsheim.
Check the map for the route to Bischofsheim. More about this partner town: http://www.bischofsheim.de/
