Calp takes part in the celebration of the 800th anniversary of its twin town Oppenheim

An institutional and civic delegation from Calp took part this past weekend in the celebration of the 800th anniversary of the Carta Puebla of Oppenheim (Germany), a town twinned with the municipality of the Peñón and with which it has maintained cooperative ties for over two decades.

The Calp delegation, led by political representatives and members of various associations, was welcomed by the mayor of Oppenheim, Silke Rautenberg. They also had the opportunity to reunite with numerous individuals who have been involved in the twinning over the years, including Erich Menger, the mayor who initiated this partnership.

The commemorative events included a historical retrospective of the town, several musical performances featuring a big band and a children’s choir, and meetings with local associations. A culinary exchange was also held with a local cooking group, during which the Calp delegation prepared a traditional paella together with their hosts.

This visit served to establish new connections aimed at revitalising cultural exchanges. Several German musical groups have been invited to perform in Calp and to discover its Moros y Cristianos festivities and local culture. In turn, German officials reaffirmed their commitment to supporting such exchanges and invited Calp to take part in the Oppenheim Wine Festival this August—one of the town’s most important celebrations, reflecting its economy’s strong roots in viticulture.

The reestablishment of an association in Oppenheim dedicated specifically to twinning initiatives is also being promoted. This initiative will foster deeper cultural exchange and enable access to both local and European funding.

Marco Bittner, Special Delegate for Twinning, emphasised that “the spirit of twinning must go beyond the political sphere and extend into the community, especially through civic associations,” encouraging residents to take part in exchange projects, which, he stated, “will always find a reliable partner in the Town Hall to make them possible.”

Calp’s Department of Twinning offers its support to local associations interested in developing joint projects with partner municipalities. Musical groups and sports associations are particularly encouraged to get in touch with the department to explore opportunities for cultural exchange, performances, and international competitions that will enrich Calp’s cultural and sporting offer.

The twinning between Calp and Oppenheim, initiated in the early 21st century, is visible in both towns through public spaces named in honour of their twin city. In Calp, Oppenheim Square, located near La Manzanera, symbolises this connection, while in Oppenheim a street in the town’s urban expansion area pays tribute to the municipality of Calp.