Citizens' trip to Bagno a Ripoli is intended to facilitate new encounters
At the end of September, 32 citizens from Weiterstadt participated in a five-day trip to their Italian twin town of Bagno a Ripoli. In addition to cultural and tourist activities, the focus was primarily on personal exchange. The trip was intended to help revitalize the town twinning.
The group's journey took them through Switzerland and northern Italy to Tuscany. There, the participants enjoyed a varied program including sightseeing, hikes, and meetings with representatives of the Italian twin town.
Exchange about the future of the town twinning
An important item on the agenda was the meeting between Weiterstadt's mayor Niklas Gehnich and his Italian counterpart Francesco Pignotti, as well as representatives of the partnership committees.
“We talked about vibrant town twinning programs and the challenges our municipalities face today. The discussions were open, cordial, and inspiring,” explained Gehnich.
The discussions also focused on how the relationship between the two municipalities can be further developed in the future. Talks are scheduled to continue next year in Weiterstadt to mark the 20th anniversary of the town twinning. The plan is to develop concrete projects for new opportunities for citizen exchange.
Culture, landscape and cuisine in Tuscany
In addition to the official exchange, the citizens' trip offered numerous opportunities to get to know the region. At the newly opened "Parco urbano di Sorgane," the group learned about an urban development project that connects natural areas, paths, and gardens.
Other program highlights included a visit to the wine village of Greve in Chianti with a wine tasting, as well as a guided tour of Florence. Together with members of a local trekking club, the group from Weiterstadt also went on a hike through the Tuscan countryside.
The program at the historic Villa Malenchini estate included an olive oil tasting and a tour of the wine cellars. There was also ample time to explore the surrounding area independently.
Personal encounters are the focus
Beyond the official program, the trip offered opportunities to forge new contacts and deepen existing friendships. The welcome from the city of Bagno a Ripoli and the joint singing of the national anthems and the European anthem underscored the close ties between the two twin cities.
Mayor Niklas Gehnich drew a positive conclusion. The partnership between Weiterstadt and Bagno a Ripoli should be intensified in the future and strengthened through concrete exchange opportunities.
He expressed his particular thanks to the partnership committee, represented by Barbara Gheorgean for organizing the trip, and to Brigitte Stetter, who looked after the group on site.
(WEITERSTADT – RED/PSW)
