Have you ever heard of the Douzelage? The Douzelage is a town twinning programme that currently consists of 27 twin towns and aims to promote opportunities and friendship throughout Europe through tourist, sporting, educational, cultural, and socio-scientific exchanges. The Commune of Niederanven is a founding member of the Douzelage. In 1991, together with 11 partners, the commune laid the foundations for a unique town twinning.
On this page, you will find all the information about the Douzelage, as well as about the activities of the Douzelage Team, founded in 2023.
Visit also the web site www.douzelage.eu.
In 1993, Douzelage was awarded one of the most coveted distinctions in the field of European twinning: The "Etoiles d'Or du Jumelage". Today, the Douzelage is made up of the following member towns:
Agros (Cyprus), Altea (Spain), Asikkala (Finland), Bad Kötzting (Germany), Bellagio (Italy), Bundoran (Ireland), Chojna (Poland), Granville (France), Holstebro (Denmark), Houffalize (Belgium), Judenburg (Austria), Köszeg (Hungary), Marsaskala (Malta), Meerssen (Netherland), Niederanven (Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg), Oxelösund (Sweden), Preveza (Greece), Rokiškis (Lithuania), Rovinj/Rovigno (Croatia), Sesimbra (Portugal), Sherborne (United Kingdom), Sigulda, (Latvia) Siret (Romania), Škofja Loka (Slovenia), Sušice (Czech Republic), Tryavna (Bulgaria), Türi (Estonia), Zvolen (Slovakia).
The Douzelage Team
The team's aim is to maintain the European twinning, the Douzelage, and to represent our Commune. The team plans and organises associated activities or develops ideas for such activities. It also prepares the General Meeting, at which all the partner towns meet once a year. Cultural, tourist, sporting, educational and socio-economic exchanges under the European programme are also on the team's agenda.
Last row (f.l.t.r.): Alain Winterstein, Georges Paquet, Pierre Welter, Jil Steyer (Secretary)
3rd row: Uli Fielitz (Coordinator), Elke Georg, Lynn Klein
2nd row: Hon Pan Luk, Dietmar Dumlich, Laura Gaul (Secretary), Roberta Dario
1st row: Caroline Hennessy, Axelle Winterstein, Diana Caldeira
Join the Douzelage family!
Would you like to discover new towns, make friends and represent our town abroad? Then register with the Douzelage team using this form and join the Douzelage Europe family!
Douzelage activities
On Saturday, 10 May, the BeNeLux Meeting between the Douzelage partner towns of Niederanven, Meerssen, and Houffalize took place in Houffalize, Belgium. It was a great day filled with new ideas, fruitful discussions, and shared laughter. During the official part of the meeting, important topics were addressed — from recent activities to upcoming projects, including the forthcoming General Meeting in October in Preveza, Greece. Afterwards, the delegations gathered in the park for the symbolic and festive inauguration of the Douzelage Tree in Houffalize. The day ended with a shared lunch and a short guided tour of the town.
A big thank you to our colleagues in Houffalize for the excellent organisation!
Copyright pictures: Uli Fielitz
On Thursday 13 June 2024, the College of Aldermen and the Commune Council, together with the Douzelage Team Niederanven, were honoured to invite to the ceremony for the "Road to Ukraine" project in front of the Commune building,
The "Road to Ukraine" humanitarian project was launched last year by the Douzelage board. The initial idea was to appeal to twinned towns to make a donation and thus raise funds for the purchase of two minibuses to help the town of Kamenets in Ukraine meet the basic needs of its new residents, be they elderly people, children or socially vulnerable groups. After the municipality not only made a donation to the project in January 2024, but also found a Luxembourg bus company willing to donate two minibuses, the time came on Thursday 13 June for the minibuses to set off for Ukraine.
During the ceremony, the Commune of Niederanven welcomed representatives from the twin towns of Meerssen (NL), Holstebro (DK) and Sherborne (UK). The town was also delighted to welcome major sponsors emile weber and euroline. Thanks were also extended to creative corner for their support, and to Hospilux and Doppler s.à r.l. for their generous donation of non-prescription items. Last but not least, the Commune of Niederanven was delighted by the large number of Ukrainian residents in our Commune, as well as by the LUkraine non-profit organisation.
The route to Ukraine was as follows:
- 13 June: Niederanven to Bad Kötzting (DE)
- 14 June: Bad Kötzting to Satu Mare (RO)
- 15 June: Satu Mare to Siret (RO)
- 16 June: Siret to Kamenets (UA) and official handover of the minibuses
- 17 June: Siret to Iasi (RO)
- 18 June: return journey
Seven representatives from the Commune of Niederanven were at the General Meeting in Sherborne from the 11th to the 14th of April as part of the Douzelage. Conferences, workshops and concerts were organised under the theme ''Wellbeing through music and nature'', and our team came back with many new ideas for our Commune.
During the General Assembly with the delegates of all twin towns, a new board was also elected this year. Thanks to Annigje Kruytbosch, Tibi Rotaru, Mette Sørensen and Miha Ješe for their wonderful work over the past few years. We wish the new board with Shane Smyth, Thorsten Wohleser, Maria Črnac Rocco and Evelin Koev a happy hand in their new role.
Finally, we would like to thank the team in Sherborne for their warm welcome and excellent organisation!
© Pictures: Commune of Niederanven & Uli Fielitz Photography
On Saturday the 23rd of March, together with our Douzelage Team, we had the great pleasure of inviting our friends from Douzelage Meerssen and Douzelage Houffalize to our BeNeLux Meeting.
During the morning conference, we discussed current Douzelage projects and the General Meeting in Sherborne coming up in April, and exchanged new ideas, to strengthen the BeNeLux relations even more with concrete projects. We combined lunch at the CIPA Gréngewald with a tour of the building and a visit to the cogeneration plant "Am Sand". Finally, the BeNeLux Meeting was crowned by the inauguration of our brand new Douzelage totem in front of the commune building.
We would like to thank our friends from Meerssen and Houffalize for the great visit.
Under the name “Free Press under Pressure” (FPuP) seventy young adults from 19 member states of the EU sought for ways to discern factual, verifiable news from disinformation and “fake news”. The project was organised by Douzelage Meerssen in collaboration with Fontys University of Applied Sciences, Maastricht University, United Nations University (UNU-MERIT), Douzelage Köszeg and Douzelage Siret. The participants worked in seven workshops to develop a toolkit they can use to assess news and information and presented the results to each other. They worked with the enthusiasm and teamspirit and were a great example for older generations. The results, together with the toolkits of the young participants, were published on fpup.douzelagemeerssen.nl.
Three girls and one representative from the Commune administration of Niederanven took part in the conference, which was held from the 5th to the 8th of November 2023. The stay was combined with some superb activities and excursions, including a visit to the Limburg Provincial Government.
After putting out a call on our social networks and on our website, we have had the opportunity to send five official delegates to the General Meeting in Rovinj/Rovigno in Croatia from the 28th of September to the 1st of October 2023. The General Meeting, which is basically a general assembly during which delegates from all Douzelage member towns take stock of the year, is also characterised by its many workshops and activities around a specific topic.
To get to know the new Board of Aldermen of Niederanven, the President of Douzelage Europe, Mrs Annigje Kruytbosch, paid us a visit on the 16th August 2023 and at the same time presented us with our certificate for 30 years of participation in the Douzelage as a founding member.
Presentation of Our Partner Cities
In every edition of the municipal bulletin NEIES, the Douzelage team presents an article about one of our partner cities. You can find all of these articles below.
Continuing the tour of our
Douzelage twin cities, let us
take you to the Emerald Isle.
Our Irish friends recently proved
once again that it is not
only the grass that is greener in
Ireland, but that a whole nation
goes green on St. Patrick's Day.
Fáilte go Bun
Dobhráin!
(Welcome to Bundoran!)
Our twin town Bundoran is located
in the county of Donegal, in
the northwest of Ireland, on the
wild Atlantic coast. The popular
Irish seaside resort has an impressive
coastline that attracts
visitors from all over the world.
With a population of just under
2,600 people, Bundoran is
a small but vibrant community.
The inhabitants are known for
their hospitality and warmth. It is worth mentioning that
Bundoran is located close to the
“Irish Bottleneck”. At this spot,
the territory of the Republic of
Ireland is only six kilometres
wide; it is therefore the preferred
option to travel from Western
Ireland to Donegal County,
without crossing Great Britain.
A wide range of
attractions
Regardless of its size, Bundoran
offers a vast choice of activities
and attractions for visitors of all
ages.
The city owes its name "surf
capital of Ireland" to Bundoran
Beach, a sprawling sandy beach
offering perfect conditions for
surfing, swimming and sunbathing.
The rugged cliffs along
the coast offer impressive views
of the Atlantic Ocean and are
well suited for hiking and walking.
Tullan Beach, located just
outside the city area, also offers
surfing opportunities.
Bundoran Adventure Park is a
popular destination for families.
There are rides, games and
entertainment for children and
adults. Waterworld Bundoran
is an indoor aqua adventure
park, right on the coast. It offers
water slides and other water attractions
for young and old.
For nature lovers, the Fairy
Bridges and Wishing Chair
Walk offers a lovely scenery of
impressive rock formations and
a history that dates back to the
time of the Druids. The rock
stacks of Fairy Bridge, along
the Roguey Walk, offer views of
the Atlantic Ocean. The name
"Fairy Bridges" stems from the
ancestral belief that these rocks
were inhabited by fairies.
Next to the Fairy Bridges is the
Wishing Chair, another popular
spot. It is said that one should
- sitting on the chair - express
one's wishes in silence so that
they come true.
Finally, about six kilometers from
Bundoran, you will find the historic
Kinlough Monastery, a ruin
from the 6th century. A tranquil
place that gives an insight into
Ireland's eventful history.
Lots of culture
and history to
experience
Bundoran has a rich cultural history
that dates back to the 18th
century, when the city became
known as a spa town. The healing
properties of the sea air and
water attracted visitors seeking
relief from their ailments. This
tradition continues to this day,
as Bundoran remains a popular
resort town.
The town also hosts a variety of
cultural events and festivals: the
annual Sea Sessions Surf & Music
Festival attracts numerous
visitors who enjoy live music,
surfing competitions and beach
parties during the summer.
The Rory Gallagher International
Tribute Festival (late May/
early June), dedicated to the famous
Irish blues guitarist, is another
highlight in Ballyshannon,
a few miles north of Bundoran.
Bundoran is also known for
its traditional Irish music and
dance. You will find regular live
music and dancing in the local
pubs and venues, allowing visitors
to experience Ireland's vibrant
culture first-hand.
In short, Bundoran is a city that
stands out for its natural beauty
as well as its cultural heritage.
With its hospitable atmosphere,
diverse attractions and vibrant
cultural offerings, it is a
worthwhile destination on your
trip to Ireland.
- Texte : Dietmar DUMLICH
Continuing the tour of our
Douzelage twin cities, let us
take you to the Emerald Isle.
Our Irish friends recently proved
once again that it is not
only the grass that is greener in
Ireland, but that a whole nation
goes green on St. Patrick's Day.
Fáilte go Bun
Dobhráin!
(Welcome to Bundoran!)
Our twin town Bundoran is located
in the county of Donegal, in
the northwest of Ireland, on the
wild Atlantic coast. The popular
Irish seaside resort has an impressive
coastline that attracts
visitors from all over the world.
With a population of just under
2,600 people, Bundoran is
a small but vibrant community.
The inhabitants are known for
their hospitality and warmth. It is worth mentioning that
Bundoran is located close to the
“Irish Bottleneck”. At this spot,
the territory of the Republic of
Ireland is only six kilometres
wide; it is therefore the preferred
option to travel from Western
Ireland to Donegal County,
without crossing Great Britain.
A wide range of
attractions
Regardless of its size, Bundoran
offers a vast choice of activities
and attractions for visitors of all
ages.
The city owes its name "surf
capital of Ireland" to Bundoran
Beach, a sprawling sandy beach
offering perfect conditions for
surfing, swimming and sunbathing.
The rugged cliffs along
the coast offer impressive views
of the Atlantic Ocean and are
well suited for hiking and walking.
Tullan Beach, located just
outside the city area, also offers
surfing opportunities.
Bundoran Adventure Park is a
popular destination for families.
There are rides, games and
entertainment for children and
adults. Waterworld Bundoran
is an indoor aqua adventure
park, right on the coast. It offers
water slides and other water attractions
for young and old.
For nature lovers, the Fairy
Bridges and Wishing Chair
Walk offers a lovely scenery of
impressive rock formations and
a history that dates back to the
time of the Druids. The rock
stacks of Fairy Bridge, along
the Roguey Walk, offer views of
the Atlantic Ocean. The name
"Fairy Bridges" stems from the
ancestral belief that these rocks
were inhabited by fairies.
Next to the Fairy Bridges is the
Wishing Chair, another popular
spot. It is said that one should
- sitting on the chair - express
one's wishes in silence so that
they come true.
Finally, about six kilometers from
Bundoran, you will find the historic
Kinlough Monastery, a ruin
from the 6th century. A tranquil
place that gives an insight into
Ireland's eventful history.
Lots of culture
and history to
experience
Bundoran has a rich cultural history
that dates back to the 18th
century, when the city became
known as a spa town. The healing
properties of the sea air and
water attracted visitors seeking
relief from their ailments. This
tradition continues to this day,
as Bundoran remains a popular
resort town.
The town also hosts a variety of
cultural events and festivals: the
annual Sea Sessions Surf & Music
Festival attracts numerous
visitors who enjoy live music,
surfing competitions and beach
parties during the summer.
The Rory Gallagher International
Tribute Festival (late May/
early June), dedicated to the famous
Irish blues guitarist, is another
highlight in Ballyshannon,
a few miles north of Bundoran.
Bundoran is also known for
its traditional Irish music and
dance. You will find regular live
music and dancing in the local
pubs and venues, allowing visitors
to experience Ireland's vibrant
culture first-hand.
In short, Bundoran is a city that
stands out for its natural beauty
as well as its cultural heritage.
With its hospitable atmosphere,
diverse attractions and vibrant
cultural offerings, it is a
worthwhile destination on your
trip to Ireland.
Laura Gaul
Jil Steyer
