Art, music and friendship: Tuttlingen delegation inspires in Draguignan!

Art, music and friendship: Tuttlingen delegation inspires in Draguignan!

A delegation of around 30 people from Tuttlingen visited the French twin town of Draguignan from June 6th to 9th, 2025 to take part in the St. Hermentaire city festival. This partnership has existed for over 30 years and is a living example of how city friendships can build cultural bridges. Led by the city's official representative, Katharina Bürger, the group was made up of members of the partnership commission, city councilors and musicians from Duddler Musigg.

The visit began in style on Friday evening at the wagon builder festival, where the artistically decorated wagons were presented for the traditional flower parade. It was already noticeable on the first evening: hospitality is very important here! On Saturday, Draguignan Mayor Richard Strambio officially welcomed the guests and the delegation explored some of the city's cultural highlights.

Cultural discoveries in Draguignan

A highlight of the program was the visit to the Chapelle de l’Observance and the Terra Rossa Museum, where the members of the delegation learned more about regional art and the production of the characteristic hexagonal clay tiles, the “tomettes”. The Duddler Musigg, led by Claudia Meißner, ensured that the evening had a great atmosphere at the banquet at the “long table” in the heart of Draguignan – an unforgettable experience for everyone involved.

Sunday then brought a trip to the picturesque Lac de Sainte-Croix, which is not only the perfect starting point for tours into the impressive Verdon Gorge, but also offered a welcome break. The highlight of the weekend, however, was the colorful flower parade on Sunday evening, which was characterized by bright floats and cheerful music. Sébastien Dussault, chairman of the Partnership Commission, summed it up: “Music overcomes borders and connects people.”

A look ahead

The exchange between Draguignan and Tuttlingen was not only a celebration of culture, but also a sign of the many positive conversations and encounters that could take place. Everyone involved is already looking forward to the return visit from Draguignan in Tuttlingen, where there will certainly be some more highlights waiting for them.

This visit is an excellent example of the benefits of town twinning, as practiced in other European cities. Cities like Berlin, which are connected to numerous partner cities around the world, show how important such exchange is for culture and coexistence. Cultural events, youth exchanges and political visits not only strengthen relationships between cities, but also enrich the lives of local citizens.

Finally, it should be noted that the days in Draguignan were characterized by warm hospitality, rich culture and the constant desire to further intensify the exchange. The delegation from Tuttlingen impressively demonstrated that they are not only connected in music, but also in their hearts.

For further information about this exchange and the town twinning between Tuttlingen and Draguignan, read more on the website Swabian newspaper and the City of Draguignan.