Karlsruhe (dpa/lsw) - In view of the global crises, Karlsruhe should continue to develop as an international city, according to Mayor Frank Mentrup. The SPD politician announced on Wednesday that the town twinning with the Ukrainian city of Vinnytsia is to be formally concluded in the new year. At the end of April, a delegation from Vinnytsia headed by the mayor is expected in Karlsruhe to sign the documents. A return visit should follow on the third weekend in May, provided the security situation permits. A European festival will then be celebrated in Vinnytsia. After the start of the Russian war of aggression in the Ukraine, Karlsruhe was specifically looking for a sister city there.
Karlsruhe wants to become more active and visible internationally and take on responsibility, said Mentrup. The city should invite and accommodate national as well as international guests. "No retreat, no isolation, but react to the crises of this world with even more commitment beyond the city limits."
This also includes the fact that Karlsruhe will host the Swiss delegation for the subsequent Special Olympics World Games in Berlin from June 12th to 15th. The municipality also wants to present itself in the Romanian twin town of Timisoara, which is one of the 2023 Capitals of Culture. A larger delegation from Karlsruhe will be present at the opening of the festival program in February, Mentrup announced.
