Pupils from Gernika Explore Pforzheim
Pforzheim, Germany - Fifteen students from Instituto Barrutialde Gernika, accompanied by two teachers, have arrived in Pforzheim for a week-long visit as part of an exchange program between the two cities. The partnership between Pforzheim and Gernika, both of which share a tragic history of destruction, serves as the foundation for this educational exchange.
The students' visit to Pforzheim is a return trip following a student exchange last year where students from Carlo-Schmid-Schule visited Gernika. The primary focus of the program is learning about Pforzheim's historical background, with the bombing raid on February 23, 1945, serving as a significant part of their visit.
On February 23, the students from Gernika will participate in the memorial service at the main cemetery, honouring the approximately 17,600 people who lost their lives during the raid. The bombing, carried out by Allied air forces, including the RAF's 582 Squadron as Pathfinders, was one of the largest and most devastating attacks on Pforzheim during World War II.
Mayor Frank Fillbrunn welcomed the students to Pforzheim, affectionately known as the "Gold City" due to its historical significance in jewelry and watchmaking. During their stay, the students will visit the Technical Museum, the Jewellery Museum, and the Wallberg. On February 23, they will also create and display self-designed memorial posters in German and Spanish at the Wallberg.
The bombing of Pforzheim was part of the late-war Allied strategic bombing to disrupt Nazi Germany’s industrial and supply infrastructure. Understanding the massive human cost and strategic military objectives behind the bombing campaigns is crucial for students exploring this historical event during the exchange program.
This background can enrich the understanding of the historical complexities faced by both the victims and those involved in the military operations, promoting intercultural learning and understanding. The exchange program between Pforzheim and Gernika continues to foster friendship and mutual respect, as other representatives from Gernika will also attend the memorial service.
This article is archived, and some contact information or dates may no longer be current. The official welcome for the visiting students took place on Tuesday, February 20, at the New Town Hall in Pforzheim.
During their stay, the students from Instituto Barrutialde Gernika will not only learn about Pforzheim's historical background but also engage in self-development activities. On February 23, they will create and display self-designed memorial posters in German and Spanish at the Wallberg, as part of general news surrounding the memorial service for the bombing raid victims.
