Friendship across borders: Tegernheim celebrates 20 years with Szczytna!

Friendship across borders: Tegernheim celebrates 20 years with Szczytna!

A delegation from the Polish partner community of Szczytna visited Tegernheim from September 26th to 28th, 2025. This exchange was organized by the Friends of Szczytna under the leadership of Christian Gröninger and also celebrated the 20th anniversary of the twinning between Tegernheim and Szczytna. The delegation, consisting of 17 members, was warmly welcomed at the hotel by Mayor Max Kollmannsberger, Second Mayor Zrzysztof Zak and City Council Chairman Stanislav Czarnik.

The three-day program was varied and included, among other things, a visit to the local elementary school and the children's home. In addition, a bowling evening was organized and the visitors explored the valuable Walhalla. A boat trip from Donaustauf to Regensburg also brought special joy to the participants, with both the guests from Szczytna and the people from Tegernheim really enjoying the activities together.

Insights into the culture and traditions

A highlight of the trip was the visit to the neighboring town of Duszniki-Zdroj, which is known for its connection to Frederic Chopin. A closing event for the 50th anniversary of the city's elevation also took place here, which was enriched by the large number of visitors and the performance of the Polish rock band “Zem”. Mayor Marek Spanier of Duszniki-Zdroj received the delegation on their return and praised the warm welcome in Tegernheim.

Kollmannsberger pointed out the differences and similarities between the two communities and expressed the hope that the partnership would continue and deepen. The exchange was made significantly easier by the organization of Anette Gitarz, Christian Gröninger and Barbara Cichy. The official part of the program ended with the planting of a friendship tree in the new park in Szczytna, which symbolizes the prosperity of the partnership.

Importance of town twinning

Town partnerships, such as the one between Tegernheim and Szczytna, are an important instrument for cultural exchange and the promotion of international relations. Created after the Second World War, they serve to improve understanding and exchange experiences in various areas, including culture, education and business. They contribute to promoting peace and intercultural dialogue, which is particularly important in the current political landscape.

The diverse benefits that arise from such partnerships include the exchange of traditions and customs, the creation of new business opportunities and the promotion of tourism. At the same time, challenges such as financial burdens, bureaucratic hurdles and language barriers must be overcome to ensure successful collaboration. The success of these partnerships often depends on the active participation of the population and transparent communication.