Newcastle has been twinned with the German city of Gelsenkirchen since 1948, as part of the post-war peace and friendship movement and is its oldest formal relationship. Activities between the two cities include school exchange programmes, joint cultural and community projects, Chamber of Commerce links and shared interest in developing service industries and new technology. This year we celebrate the 75th anniversary in 2023 with activities in both cities. Activities between the two cities have included school exchange programmes, joint cultural and community projects, Chamber of Commerce links and shared interest in developing service industries and new technology.
We are pleased to have supported a new school partnership between English Martyrs school in Newcastle and Rainbow school in Gelsenkirchen, who are both involved in the twinning celebrations this year.
English Martyrs Catholic Primary School staff and children have been involved in an art project with a Newcastle-based artist from Gelsenkirchen, Robin Reza. The project focuses on themes on friendship, teamwork, and unity to highlight Newcastle’s longstanding friendship with Gelsenkirchen and celebrate this new connection for both schools. Each of the children are completing and individual piece of art expressing feelings of welcome using local landmarks, bright colours, and symbols. These will be combined to create one big piece to exchange with the partner school who are creating a similar piece. Their artworks will be exhibited in both cities in September. You can see a video about the project at English Martyrs school filmed by the City Council here.
In addition, International Newcastle is supporting the school to explore UK German Connection funding and support the development of the partnership and potentially introducing German language learning to the school.
Find out more about our support for schools links with Gelsenkirchen here and do get in touch if you are a school interested in a link.