Stadtfest Broschüre

Words of welcome
A FESTIVAL BY FRIENDS FOR FRIENDS
Esteemed festival visitors from near and far,
I am delighted to be able to welcome you to this year’s Bruneck Festival. Every two years on the last
weekend in July, Bruneck is transformed into one big festival ground. Thanks to the hard work of many
societies and associations, this year we have once again succeeded in presenting a varied and diverse
programme of events.
This year, at the same time as the festival, we will be celebrating the 60th anniversary of the founding
of our Europe Days event. After the two World Wars, a transformation took place in Europe. The dark
shadows of the past receded and we began to focus on what we all have in common. During this time
the fi rst town twinning agreements were established and the municipality of Bruneck was among those
to set up partnerships of this kind, as long ago as 1959, with the towns of Gross Gerau (D), Tielt (B)
and Brignoles (F). Following the eastern expansion of the European Union, Szamotuly (PL) joined the
group. The aim of this partnership was, and always has been, to exchange experience and information
on common topics and to work towards a closer Europe. But much more came of it, and genuine friendships
have developed, not just at institutional level. I am especially delighted to see that many Bruneck
residents, in keeping with the European spirit, have made and faithfully maintain their own contacts in
our twin towns.
At present the European Union is often criticised. And criticism should rightly be voiced, if it is appropriate
and constructive. But we should not allow ourselves to be carried away blindly by those who sew
hatred and anger, without offering solutions of their own. Europe is a peace project that has brought us
prosperity and stability, and this should not be forgotten! The Europe Days are intended to remind us of
precisely this fact, and above all are a festival run by friends for friends, as well as a festival of peace.
To this end, I would particularly like to thank all those who have contributed to the success of the festival
and Europe Days, and I hope that we all enjoy a harmonious and peaceful gathering.
The Mayor
Roland Griessmair