review of Bretten Jack Fielding
Bretten Youth Festival 2007
By Jack fielding
After finally arriving in Frankfurt airport, our minibus took us to Kurnback, to the Musik Akademie, our place of residence. The Academy itself was a very modern and well-designed place, and while food sometimes may not have been to everyone’s liking, was a good place for the participants (110 in total) to stay. Kurnbach was a quaint place, tidy, like the majority of Germany.
Day 1
The first evening consisted of getting to know each other and a disco underground. This went along way to breaking the ice and people from the different countries interacted a lot more.
Day 2
The group was officially greeted by the Bretten Mayor Paul Metzger and was taken on an interesting tour of Bretten. Following lunch, the group was taken to a sports centre, where they took part in a volleyball tournament.
Day 3
Saw an intriguing and friendly-making walk from Kurnbach to Sternenfels, followed by a leisurely afternoon at the open-air pool! The evening events gave the group, a barbeque followed by a walk in the woods guided by the popular German leader Tobias Klostermann.
Day 4
An interesting trip to Heidelburg castle where the group saw the world’s largest wine vat. This was followed by an afternoon of shopping in Heidelberg town, after which the group went climbing and abseiling in the ‘high-rope garden’.
Day 5
This was probably the most looked forward to, as the group went to Europa Park, a great day for all.
Saturday saw the successful Twinning Conference take place with two young people from each town taking part, and as was said in the later evening processions, a vote was made to hold a conference every year from now on.
The evening was a fabulous one for everyone concerned, whether it be the Councillors, leaders or young people. A traditional Bretten band performed followed by pre-empted performances by each group of young people. It was also an emotional night as people come to terms with the fact the week was over.
A fabulous week for everyone, a never to be forgotten experience, but hopefully one to be replicated in the future.
Special thanks to leaders
Portugal – Fausto and Ana
Germany – Monika and Tobias
Wales – Ruth and Steve
France – Sira and Arnoud