In September 2026 Dave Hirons spoke to Coventry German Circle about CAIF on the 80 anniversary. The talk was centred on Irmgard Rode’s story. The story takes place in Germany in the turbulent years between the two world wars. Born into a Catholic and strongly pacifist family, she grew up as the Weimar Republic gave… Continue reading Irmgard Rode and Coventry friendship
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From Dresden with Love
We are pleased to include these memories of Andrea’s visit to Dresden (and beyond). In the second part of the blog she visits Dresden meeting many new friends, has a guest teaching session at Dresden university and meets Patrick, Annika, Lucas, Reiner She performs at the FrauenKirche and visits some of the local landmarks. Click here to… Continue reading From Dresden with Love
Writing as reconciliation
Earlier we published reflections on the CAIF visit to Dresden. These included a contribution from Lisa Hagan, Head of English at Lyng Hall school. Later, we were able to catch up with Lisa to talk about some pieces she had written during her trip grouped together under the title of 'The Creative Fragments of an Anniversary'. Our… Continue reading Writing as reconciliation
THW Kiel: you have to hand it to them
Nikolai keeps us up-to-date with our partner city Kiel. Handball is sadly not very popular in the UK but it is huge in most other European countries. And THW Kiel, from our German twin city is one of the biggest handball clubs in Europe! Yesterday they won the German Handball Cup (equivalent to the English FA Cup),… Continue reading THW Kiel: you have to hand it to them
Visit to Dresden 10-16 February
We publish below some blog contributions about our trip to Dresden [1] . To give you some background Coventry has enjoyed a strong connection with Dresden over the years. In good part, this began through each city's experiences of intensive air raids during WW2. In Coventry these raids were carried out early in the war,… Continue reading Visit to Dresden 10-16 February
Mary’s reflection on the Dresden visit
Below we are pleased to publish Mary Courtney's recollection of her first visit to Dresden. Similarities and differences As a first timer in Germany, I couldn’t help but be struck by differences and similarities with Coventry. Accustomed to seeing just one naked woman on a horse in Coventry city centre, our iconic Godiva, I was… Continue reading Mary’s reflection on the Dresden visit
Reflection on a visit to Dresden by Magda
Magda Kirndoerfer has been involved in promoting Kiel - Coventry links over many years. It was a treat to meet her in Dresden this time around. Here she picks out some events that she attended during her visit. As a 4-day guest from Kiel I am absolutely grateful for having been part of this large… Continue reading Reflection on a visit to Dresden by Magda
Dave’s reflection on the Dresden visit
Below we are pleased to publish Dave Hirons recollection of the visit to Dresden. Our visit to Dresden was made up of a number of exceptional experiences. It was 1800 miles of driving, there and back, but, having the car, gave us the freedom to stop as Linda required and we were able to get… Continue reading Dave’s reflection on the Dresden visit
A Definition of Speechlessness
This is another in our series on 'What my city means for me'. Here Patrick Wilden responds to the collapse of the Carola bridge on the Elbe river in Dresden. (The Elbe is over a thousand kilometres longs and crosses through Dresden as it makes its way from the Giant Mountains of the Czech Republic… Continue reading A Definition of Speechlessness
My favourite place in Cov
This is another blog in the series ‘what my city means to me’. These posts offer a glimpse of the places and people that make up a city and are particularly interesting for readers in partner cities in other countries. In this blog I describe a place that has special meaning for me in Coventry. … Continue reading My favourite place in Cov
Dresden my Dresden: A view from the far side / Dresden von hinten
This blog is part of a series on what my city means to me. Here, Rainer Barczaitis writes about his part of Dresden some distance away from the historic centre but nonetheless with its own history and attractions. The text is in two parts, German and English. The English version is only partly translation, partly… Continue reading Dresden my Dresden: A view from the far side / Dresden von hinten
What does my city mean to me?
One of the purposes of our blog is to help those in Coventry find out more about the cities with which we are twinned. However, we are equally interested in shining a light on our own city, for ourselves and for friends who live overseas. In this blog we get the thoughts of Zsófia, a… Continue reading What does my city mean to me?
You’re invited! From Coventry to Dresden with love
Navkiran Mann is a Coventry-based writer and poet. She has been commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company, Birmingham Commonwealth Games, City of Culture and has co-organised arts events. She has a special interest in supporting writing and other forms of expression in underrepresented communities. In September she visited Dresden to connect with poets, writers, and… Continue reading You’re invited! From Coventry to Dresden with love
Cork-Poetry Exchange August 2024 (1)
Cork is the capital of County Cork in the Republic of Ireland and has been twinned with Coventry since 1958. You can find out more about this link here. This year our connection with Cork has been strengthened by visits including those of two Coventry poets, Amy and Ann. In this post Amy describes taking… Continue reading Cork-Poetry Exchange August 2024 (1)
Cork-Coventry Cork-Coventry Twin Cities Poetry Exchange (2)
This is our second piece on the visit of Amy and Ann to Cork and thier participation in the Ó Bhéal poetry night. In this post Ann writes: I was honoured to represent Coventry in Cork this August, featuring at Ó Bhéal poetry night in Cork and DeBarra’s in Clonakilty alongside Amy Rugg. We performed… Continue reading Cork-Coventry Cork-Coventry Twin Cities Poetry Exchange (2)
Visit to Meschede 26 May-6 June
Five CAIF members from Coventry and one member now residing in Kiel, arrived at their hosts’ homes on Sunday 26 May to very warm and friendly welcome. Our group was joined, in Meschede, by a group of twelve members of ARP in Vannes, Brittany. Friends of Meschede and Coventry, known to us for many years.… Continue reading Visit to Meschede 26 May-6 June
Tighten up
On 5 October 2024 Dresden band "Tighten Up" will be playing a gig at Coventry's Two Tone Village (Knight's) as part of a double bill with Coventry band / DJs "Sisters in Dub". Here Nikolai tells about his interest in their music. Tighten Up play what they call "rocksteady / early reggae", which is the type… Continue reading Tighten up
