Last week, a discussion took place with Euronews concerning the relations between Germany and France, a rather pleasant and constructive discussion between our two peoples.
Coming from a region next to Germany and rich in history, I wanted to talk about it with people who are not familiar with its heritage.
Alsace is a piece of land between France and Germany full of history, first German and then French from the 17th century until 1870, when it became German again after the defeat of France in the Franco-German war. In 1918, Germany loses the 1st world war and during the signature of the treaty of Versailles, it becomes French again. In 1940, following the French defeat, Alsace was not occupied like the rest of France, but annexed and the citizens fought with the Wehrmacht on the Russian front. When the Third Reich was defeated, many Alsatian soldiers were locked up in Russia for a few years. In 1945, Alsace became French again.
Since these different occupations, Alsace has taken on traditions in both countries. We speak a dialect close to the German one, the traditional food is close to the German one, we have a code of the local right which takes again provisions of the German Empire because more favorable than the French right… We borrowed a lot of tradition from Germany but nevertheless we feel French (but we want a lot of autonomy, we do not like that France takes away us our local right) Another example of local law: in Alsace, we have no separation between church and state and the priests and rabbis are paid by the state.
I advise those who come to France to spend a few days in Alsace, to visit our cities with our traditional houses, our beautiful vineyards (we are famous for our wine) as well as our traditional dishes like sauerkraut.
Also, many events are organized to celebrate our Franco-German friendship. Near my home for example, every year a half-marathon takes place in France, Germany and Switzerland where the three countries are invited to participate to celebrate our friendship.
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Last week, a discussion took place with Euronews concerning the relations between Germany and France, a rather pleasant and constructive discussion between our two peoples.
Coming from a region next to Germany and rich in history, I wanted to talk about it with people who are not familiar with its heritage.
Alsace is a piece of land between France and Germany full of history, first German and then French from the 17th century until 1870, when it became German again after the defeat of France in the Franco-German war. In 1918, Germany loses the 1st world war and during the signature of the treaty of Versailles, it becomes French again. In 1940, following the French defeat, Alsace was not occupied like the rest of France, but annexed and the citizens fought with the Wehrmacht on the Russian front. When the Third Reich was defeated, many Alsatian soldiers were locked up in Russia for a few years. In 1945, Alsace became French again.
Since these different occupations, Alsace has taken on traditions in both countries. We speak a dialect close to the German one, the traditional food is close to the German one, we have a code of the local right which takes again provisions of the German Empire because more favorable than the French right… We borrowed a lot of tradition from Germany but nevertheless we feel French (but we want a lot of autonomy, we do not like that France takes away us our local right) Another example of local law: in Alsace, we have no separation between church and state and the priests and rabbis are paid by the state.
I advise those who come to France to spend a few days in Alsace, to visit our cities with our traditional houses, our beautiful vineyards (we are famous for our wine) as well as our traditional dishes like sauerkraut.
Also, many events are organized to celebrate our Franco-German friendship. Near my home for example, every year a half-marathon takes place in France, Germany and Switzerland where the three countries are invited to participate to celebrate our friendship.
To you Germans (and Europeans), I love you.
Gorgeous
This is so pretty, like a movie set or something!