France/ The twinning committee of La Chartre-sur-le-Loir in the Sarthe will head for Syke in Germany
The twinning committee of La Chartre-sur-le-Loir (Sarthe) is organizing its trip to Syke from May 28 to June 1, 2025. This year, it faces several challenges.
The twinning committee of La Chartre-sur-le-Loir(Sarthe) is organizing its traditional trip to Syke from Wednesday May 28, 2025 to Sunday June 1.
Its role is to propose exchanges between the Sarthe commune and this town in northern Germany. It is one of a number of independent committees set up in the region to bring together "the French and German peoples", as stated in the Elysée Treaty signed in 1963.
A total of 41 people will be taking part in the trip, staying with host families . However, this year's experience was marked by a smaller number of volunteers and a number of misunderstandings.
The La-Chartre-sur-le-Loir twinning committee heads for Syke
This year, new agreements were put in place between the town councils of La Chartre and Syke without notifying the twinning committee.
These have resulted in an exchange between the local middle school and the German Louise Chevalier school group. Mayor Michel Dutheil also mentioned a planned exchange with Morocco.
"I'm surprised, because twinning committees and town councils are supposed to work hand in hand," laments Régis Breton, president of the twinning committee.
"Some people were even surprised that we weren't included in these projects," he adds.
Fewer volunteers
The bus will be leaving for the first time without being fully booked.
"I attribute this difficulty in finding volunteers to the cost of transport, which in general is becoming more affordable.
There are also more and more families going on vacation over the Ascension weekend," explains Régis Breton. "But it could have satisfied other people", he regrets.
For the next departure, which will take place in two years' time, the president hopes to operate with a full bus .
" Twinning remains an inexpensive and safe way of visiting Germany, without having to worry about organizing the trip. Hosting a family is also a unique experience", continues Régis Breton.
A fast-paced trip
The group will depart by bus on Wednesday evening, arriving in Germany around 4pm the following day.
The return journey will take place on Sunday. The journey should end around 10 pm. The first evening is spent with the host families, but the rest of the program is shared by all.
"Behind this trip is a desire to bring people together," says the president.
Avisit to a museum, a tour of a town near Syke, a festive evening and, of course , a field day are all planned for the weekend.
The committee brings together people of all ages and professions. "You just have to be curious," says Régis Breton.
This year's group includes almost five middle-school students.
"For the past two or three exchanges, I've been trying to open up to students and their teachers , because usually it was just adults," he continues.
This year, however, changes in the organization of the exchange in Germany have made the rules stricter, forcing us to reduce the number of students.
"Where I could have kept other places for them, I'm offering them to others, in particular the firefighters , who are historically linked to this twinning but who hadn't taken part for a long time", reacts the president.
Five of them have signed up for the 2025 edition.
They will be able to take advantage of the trip to visit their German counterparts ' fire station . A rewarding adventure, to say the least.
A human adventure
This trip is an opportunity to discover the neighboring country from a new angle.
And this opportunity has existed for 52 years. The twinning committee organizes an annual exchange, alternating between La Chartre-sur-le-Loir and Syke.
"One year it's the Germans who come to visit us, and the next it's us who travel to Syke," explains Régis Breton. The trips are always sports-oriented.
But they also serve to forge links. Over the years, real friendships have developed between the French and Germans.
The majority of participants are regulars who come to see their pen pals. And these same families welcome them when they come," smiles Régis Breton.
This adventure leads to real highlights, such as the meeting where 90 French and German participants joined forces in Paris in 2018 to celebrate the committee's 45th anniversary.
Anyone interested in receiving pen pals in 2026, or taking part in the exchange in 2027, can already get in touch with the committee.
It is also possible to take part in the organization by getting involved in the committee.
"Many people have crossed the border thanks to twinning committees", concludes the president.
Source: actu.fr/
