A Profile: The German-American Friendship Association Paderborn-Belleville e.V.

Revival of Historical Connections and the Beginning of Friendship

In the mid-1980s, the city of Belleville in Illinois sought a twinning partnership with the towns of Paderborn and St. Libori in Ostwestfalen. The requests for contacts quickly led to Paderborn, where efforts were simultaneously underway to revive the historical connections between the Paderborn region and the Belleville area. After an initial meeting between the mayors in 1988, the formal signing of partnership documents took place in 1990 in Paderborn and in 1991 in Belleville. The organizations “German-American Friendship Association Paderborn-Belleville” in Paderborn and “Belleville Sister Cities” in Belleville were established as carriers of the city friendship. Subsequently, a vibrant exchange of youth and adults developed between the two cities. Numerous privately organized visits between the people of both cities and regions further deepened the friendship among the people.

The historical connection between both cities dates back much earlier than the formal city twinning. It originates from around 200 years ago, in the early 19th century, when many thousands of people from the Paderborn region left their homeland to build a new life abroad. German settlements around present-day Belleville gave rise to places like Paderborn in 1861 and St. Libori in 1836. The DAFK and BSC extensively researched these emigration stories and the historical connection between both cities, publishing the results in the three-volume book series “Heading to America.”

Youth Work

Since its inception, the DAFK has placed a special emphasis on youth development. Through the annual youth exchange program, the DAFK and BSC contribute to improved international understanding, fostering intercultural competence, language skills, openness, and tolerance. The program provides young people the opportunity to spend three weeks or three months in Belleville. This year, the exchange took place in Belleville, and next year, the young participants from Belleville will visit Paderborn.

Vibrant City Partnership

Over the years and up to the present day, it’s the hundreds of private friendships among America enthusiasts that keep the city partnership and the DAFK association alive.

Throughout the year, the association offers its members various activities in the fields of culture, sports, and leisure, whenever possible with an American connection. The highlight in the DAFK annual calendar is the Thanksgiving Dinner, which the association has been celebrating every year since its founding with around 130 guests. The monthly get-together is also well-attended, where the board and members exchange news from America and Paderborn.

During a stroll in Paderborn and Belleville, visitors will quickly come across recent signs of deep friendship. In 2021, the Belleville Promenade was inaugurated in the heart of Paderborn, and in 2023, the Paderborn Square was ceremoniously opened in the heart of Belleville. In the fall of 2024, DAFK will once again offer a trip to America. The road trip starts in New Orleans and travels through the Southern states, along the Mississippi River to Belleville, where we will celebrate the annual Oktoberfest with a Paderborn booth.