Exclusive by Paul Whitelock in Knittlingen

IT was exactly 50 years ago, in 1960, that the first Spaniards arrived in Knittlingen, near Stuttgart in Baden-Württemberg, in search of work.

On the evening of 11 June 2010 the mayors of Knittlingen, Benaojan und Montejaque put the official seal to the partnership that has existed between the three communities since that time.

In the Festhalle in Knittlingen it was as hot as in Andalucía. Many of the women were sensibly kitted out with abanicos (Spanish fans). But many more of the 200 or so guests were also busy fanning themselves in order to keep cool.

The busiest person on the night was Jochen Escalante. The 37-year-old from Knittlingen, with Spanish roots, acted as interpreter for the speeches by Bürgermeister Heinz-Peter Hopp and his Spanish counterparts Miguel Alza Hiraldo (Montejaque) und Francisco Gómez Gonzales (Benaoján), before all three signed the partnership agreement.

Although the first Spaniards came to Knittlingen in 1960 in order to work in the industries of the area, much more has happened. Integration has been very positive. “Close friendships have been formed, mixed marriages have taken place and strong civic relationships have endured. Much more than simple human understanding“, said Bürgermeister Heinz-Peter Hopp.

Montejaque mayor Miguel Alza Hiraldo, who used the occasion to announce his retirement after 16 years in office, said: “Today’s ceremony just makes everything official, as we’ve felt just like brothers for many many years.”

Francisco Gomez Gonzales, alcalde de Benaoján, took the opportunity to invite the Knittlingers to visit Benaojan in 2011, after the volcanic ash cloud caused the planned signing in Spain at the end of April this year to be cancelled at the last minute.

The president of the Partnership Association, Waltraut Ertner, pointed out that some Knittlingers were already learning Spanish. Councillor Karl Röckinger had even learned a sentence in Spanish: a buen entendedor pocas palabras bastan (someone who understands needs few words).

The official “marriage” of the three communities continued to be celebrated over the weekend at the local Faust festival in the Swabian town.

© Paul Whitelock

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EXCLUSIVE: "Just Like Brothers"
Monday, 14 June 2010
Exclusive by Paul Whitelock in Knittlingen IT was exactly 50 years ago, in 1960, that the first Spaniards arrived in Knittlingen, near...

© 2012 - Secret Andalucia - Guadiaro Valley, near Ronda

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