CELEBRATE FRIENDSHIP! CULTURE AS A BRIDGE-BUILDER

Panel discussion on the European dimension of Heidelberg’s bid to become the European Capital of Culture, Moderator: nn.

6:30 p.m.: Guided tour of the Montpellier House, Kettengasse 19, 69117 Heidelberg 7:30 p.m.: Discussion at the Haus der Begegnung, in front of the
Jesuit Church, Merianstr. 1, 69117 Heidelberg 9:30 p.m.: Get-together at the Montpellier House, free admission

German-French cooperation is peace-building in action: the heart of a united Europe. In Heidelberg and Montpellier, this friendship is actively cultivated
and will celebrate three anniversaries in 2026: 65 years of city twinning, 60 years of the Maison de Heidelberg, and 40 years of the Montpellier-Haus. In collaboration with the two institutions—
—the association “Culture for Europe – Heidelberg Capital of Culture” is using this occasion to host a discussion on culture as a bridge-builder and source of inspiration. We’ll learn how
Montpellier set out on its path to becoming a European Capital of Culture. After all, the inspiration for Heidelberg’s bid came from its sister city. Montpellier’s newly re-elected mayor, Michaël Delafosse, has been invited to speak. Nadine Gruner has headed the Heidelberg House in Montpellier since 2017, an institution that promotes the culture of the German-speaking world. Prior to that, she coordinated the Deutsch-Mobil program in the southern French region.

The event is sponsored by Volksbank Kurpfalz.