Pupils who speak a particular language hail from the cities of Neuss and Kaarst
Neuss Hosts Successful German-French Reading Competition
The city of Neuss, Germany, recently played host to the annual German-French Reading Competition, an event aimed at promoting bilingual reading and fostering cross-cultural understanding between German and French participants.
The competition, held under the patronage of the Mayor of Neuss, Reiner Breuer, saw students from various levels, ranging from the 2nd learning year to the upper secondary school, showcase their reading skills in both languages.
The jury, composed of German-French representatives, had the challenging task of selecting the best performances from the numerous participants who bravely competed, not just within the city limits of Neuss, but beyond as well.
One of the standout moments was an impressive reading by an upper secondary school student of an unknown text. Notably, there were 17 candidates from the 2nd learning year. Each student presented their text according to their level, ranging from A1 to B2.
The event was organized by Magda Holzberg, Annette Lohkamp, Lilli Käfer, Helga Schwarze, and the city library. Special thanks were given to the dedicated French teachers who prepared and accompanied their students for the competition.
The sponsors for the event included Hitch Cinema, the Book House at the Minster, and the city of Neuss. The participants, teachers, jury, organizers, and sponsors were all personally honored by Mayor Reiner Breuer.
Liliane Loegel and Geneviève Quinaud addressed all participants in a short speech in French. The importance of language for relations with the French neighbor was emphasized by the mayor, highlighting the 60-year-old German-French friendship, sealed in the Élysée Treaty in 1963.
All candidates received a certificate and a small gift, made possible by generous donations from Neuss sponsors. A heartfelt thank you was given to all involved in the competition.
The competition concluded with the announcement that the Concours de Lecture in German will take place in the partner city of Châlons-en-Champagne in January 2024. The event in Neuss serves as a testament to the enduring cultural exchange between the two cities and a reminder of the importance of fostering cross-cultural understanding through events like this.
The jury, in recognition of the diverse skills displayed, had the arduous task of selecting winners from the contestants who represented not only Neuss but also other cities, exhibiting their proficiency in education-and-self-development areas such as language learning.
In her speech, Liliane Loegel highlighted the significance of the other lifestyle aspect, maintaining relationships with neighboring countries like France, emphasizing the 60-year harmony established between Germany and France, fostered mainly through events like the German-French Reading Competition.
