Albig celebrates 50 years of friendship with Signy-L'Abbaye - big anniversary celebrations!

Albig celebrates 50 years of friendship with Signy-L'Abbaye - big anniversary celebrations!

What a festive occasion! The municipality of Albig is currently celebrating its 50-year partnership with Signy-L’Abbaye in France. The anniversary celebrations will take place on September 12th and 13th as part of the traditional notch. A highlight will be the unveiling of a stele, which will be created as a peace monument with the inscription “50 years of partnership between Albig and Signy-L’Abbaye”. This symbolic gesture underlines the importance and existence of this special connection between the two communities, which has flourished since their founding in 1975. Already [Allgemeine Zeitung](https://www. Allgemeine-zeitung.de/lokales/kreis-alzey-worms/landkreis-alzey-worms/albig- Feiert-50-jahre-partnerschaft-mit-signy-labbaye-4922522) reported that a colorful program awaits the guests.

The celebrations focus on various activities. A meeting with active and former partners is planned to honor the eventful history of Jumelage. After a tour of the town, which is intended to introduce the participants to the beauties of Albig, a lunch awaits the visitors. The festival will be rounded off with a concert by the group “Rouge Baiser” in the Albig gymnasium, which will certainly create an exuberant atmosphere.

Historical review

The partnership between Albig and Signy-L'Abbaye was sealed in formal ceremonies first in 1975 and then in 1976, with Mayor Ernst Jakob Müller of Albig and Louis Lebrun of Signy leading the municipal councils. The Ruhland families from Albig and Savarin from Charleville-Mézières were instrumental in establishing the connections. Since the early years, the partnership was characterized by regular visits, which soon acquired a family touch, as Albig.de explains.

The foundation of these relations was laid in 1963 by the Elysee Treaty, signed under the then heads of state De Gaulle and Adenauer. This treaty ended the past of hostility between the two countries and encouraged the emergence of friendly relations, which are kept alive today through the partnership between Albig and Signy-L'Abbaye.

Shared experiences

Over the years, many local groups, including the Albig hunters' association, the fire department, the youth fire department and various music clubs, have actively participated in the partnership. The annual visits not only simplify exchanges, but also promote mutual relationships through joint excursions, such as to historical sites of the First World War, which impressively demonstrate the effects of the “German-French hereditary enmity”.

The memories of children's vacations in both communities are a further expression of the family bonds created through this partnership. The regular cultural and sporting events also strengthen the connection between citizens. A special committee led by Bernhard Seifried, which was set up in 2016/17, manages the organization of events and ensures that the exchange continues to run smoothly. In addition, six founding members from 1975 are still actively behind the initiative.

With this in mind, many are looking forward to celebrating the 50th anniversary of the partnership with numerous shared experiences and continuing it in a spirit of friendship and respect for the next few years. For information on the development of the German-French town twinning and its significance, take a look at the Pole Franco-Allemand website.