About 1,000 British citizens from Guernsey were deported and interned in Camp Lindele in Biberach during the Second World War, and since 1997 official efforts have been made to foster genuine friendships between islanders and residents of the German town.
The Framework of Friendship is an extension of the relationship, and a formal acknowledgement of the past while strengthening pre-existing bonds.
Deputies Lyndon Trott and Jonathan Le Tocq met with the mayor of Biberach Norbert Zeidler on Liberation Day to sign it.
‘In 1942, deportations of citizens from the Channel Islands into internment camps in Germany started. I’m sure for a long time, hearing Biberach and other German town names did not evoke happy and friendly feelings,’ said Mr Zeidler.
‘Liberation Day is a day celebrating freedom, and those people who witnessed Liberation Day have their own personal thoughts and also very different experiences.
‘This arrangement is exceptional and it is a great honour that I have been invited, together with a large group of Biberach Friends of Guernsey and Biberach citizens, to the Framework of Friendship signing and the Liberation Day festivities.
‘It is a very moving act of friendship.’
The arrangement also aims to create new opportunities for cultural and educational exchanges for shared learning, stories, art, language and experiences, so that future generations can better understand the shared history and friendship between Guernsey and Biberach.
Deputy Trott said that what began as a story of suffering had become a symbol of reconciliation.
‘Each year we mark Liberation Day with pride and reflection. This year the presence of the Mayor of Biberach, members of the town council, Biberach Cities’ Partners’ Association and the Guernsey Committee is especially meaningful. Young musicians from the Biberach Youth Orchestra performing in Guernsey is a testament to that,’ he said.
‘Through this framework, we are creating new opportunities for cultural and educational exchange for shared learning and mutual enrichment. We hope that students, artists, historians and community groups will all benefit from this connection.’
You need to be logged in to comment. If you had an account on our previous site, you can migrate your old account and comment profile to this site by visiting this page and entering the email address for your old account. We'll then send you an email with a link to follow to complete the process.