BRIAN HICKS was among those welcoming our European friends this past weekend at a series of special events across the Ding. Here he looks back at a special reunion
The Oberbürgermeister of Düsseldorf, Dr Stephan Keller, paid his first visit to Reading last weekend to join in the celebrations for the 75th anniversary of the special friendship between his city on the Rhine and our town on the Thames.
After those early beginnings, an official town twinning was formalised in 1975, one of the oldest in the UK.
Dr Keller’s counterpart, the Mayor of Reading Cllr Rachel Eden, had been in Düsseldorf two weeks earlier with him to join in the Reading Weekend celebrations there.
These included a performance of Romeo and Juliet with actors from Reading.
The starting point on Saturday morning was an exhibition of photographs by Chris Forsey at the Holybrook Gallery, Reading Central Library, showing scenes in Düsseldorf and Reading. Entitled Dorf & Ding, Mr Forsey’s photos use special effects, especially with colour.
This was followed by the official opening by Dr Keller of a new display at Reading Museum, Head over heels: Friendship from the Ruins.
Brendan Carr, a curator at the museum, explained the background and other museum exhibits that relate to Düsseldorf.
The new display details the story of the special friendship from its earliest beginnings in 1947 when Phoebe Cusden was the Mayor of Reading.
She was a prime mover in providing help for adults and children in Düsseldorf after the devastation of the Second World War.
The current war in the Ukraine is a poignant reminder of those times and Düsseldorf concluded an official partnership in March with Czernovitz (Chernivtsi).
As part of the visit, Dr Keller was given a tour of the Reading Abbey ruins and the Abbey Gateway, the grand entrance to the Abbot’s Lodgings which later became Queen Elizabeth I’s royal residence.
At the concluding event on Sunday, he was welcomed by a dazzling Queen Elizabeth I and some of her courtiers, or rather actors playing those parts.
On Sunday morning there was a special ecumenical service of reaffirmation at the Minster Church of St Mary the Virgin, conducted in English and German.
Dr Keller and Rachel Eden both gave readings, and there were about 100 in the congregation.
In the closing words and blessing, the Revd Liz Jackson, Associate Archdeacon of Berkshire, talked about the origin of friendship in loving action.
There have been very close relationships over the 75 years between churches in Reading and Düsseldorf.
There was a civic meeting on Sunday afternoon to reaffirm the link between Reading and Düsseldorf at the Concert Hall in Reading Town Hall.
Reading’s splendid golden mace was carried at the front of the procession of dignitaries. Phoebe Cusden’s grandson, Richard Thom, was in the audience.
Council leader Cllr Jason Brock opened proceedings.
He recounted some history of the post-war period and the key role of Phoebe Cusden who visited Düsseldorf to see the deprivation there for herself.
She arranged for food parcels and other support. Children from Düsseldorf started coming to Reading and regular exchanges have continued until today.
These have been supported by Reading Düsseldorf Association, which was founded in 1948. Rachel Eden’s predecessor, David Stevens, has recently taken on the role of chairman.
Mr Brock expressed some surprise that the relationship with Düsseldorf had started and endured, especially as Reading had struggled to be friendly with its UK neighbours such as Swindon and Oxford.
He said that in more recent years Reading had embraced the goal to be a city of sanctuary for those affected by conflict.
Dr Keller said the highlight from the Reading Weekend in Düsseldorf for him had been the personal testimonies of Erika Euteneuer and Gretel Wicke (née Wieber).
These ladies had come from Düsseldorf on the first school exchange to Reading in 1947. Dr Keller said that the memories they forged then had lasted their entire lives and even played a part in their career choices.
It is his sincere hope that the friendship will grow and flourish in the future, also echoed by Cllr Eden.
Dr Keller ended his speech with an invitation to Reading to send a delegation to the Invictus Games, founded by Prince Harry, which will be held in Düsseldorf in September next year.
And he later signed the Reaffirmation Charter with Cllr Eden.
Two members of the Reading Youth Council, Amandeep Mavi and Sizuan Ren, recounted their recent exchange trip to Düsseldorf and the warmth of the welcome they received.
Some of their Düsseldorf counterparts were also present. The importance of new personal links and relationships between the towns, especially among the young, was mentioned by several speakers.
There were musical interludes with young performers from both towns and a Ukrainian singer.
And afterwards, there was a special 75th anniversary cake and scones to savour.
Brian Hicks lived for more than 20 years in Reading and eight years in Düsseldorf
bhicks@wokingham.today
