An innovative city twinning project has been launched between Oldenburg, Germany and Raqqa, Syria, famously liberated from the Islamic State (ISIS) by Kurdish-led forces in 2017. The Oldenburg-Raqqa Twinning Association, founded late last year, aims to build international solidarity and establish a culture of learning between the two cities.
Since the defeat of ISIS, Raqqa has been on a path of rebuilding and revitalisation as part of the defacto autonomous northeastern Syrian region known as Rojava. The development of a democratic, egalitarian and multi-ethnic society, with an emphasis on women’s empowerment and ecological sustainability, is at the core of the self-governing Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES).
Oldenburg boasts a longstanding tradition of fostering international relationships, including various humanitarian projects, educational initiatives and material aid.
The twinning project with Raqqa promotes mutual understanding through cultural exchange, collaboration between community groups, organisations and private individuals. A key objective is to establish an official partnership between the two cities, symbolising a significant step in international cooperation.
The association is scheduled to hold a public showcase on 12 January 2024 at KinOLaden in Oldenburg to unveil its mission and objectives.
The event will feature:
– An introduction to the association, detailing its formation and purpose.
– Discussions on the importance and potential impact of the Oldenburg-Raqqa city partnership.
– Presentations showcasing Raqqa, highlighting its cultural and historical significance.
– A Berlin-based representative from the DAANES will be present to provide insight into the region’s governance and current developments.
Event Details: 12 January 2024, at KinOLaden, Wallstraße 24, 26123 Oldenburg, starting at 7 pm local time.
