20th student exchange between Leiria (Portugal) and Rheine ended with many impressions
Leiria/Rheine (rew). Leiria in the warm early autumn of 2022 – the questions and problems are similar to those in Rheine – because the consequences of the Russian war of aggression on Ukraine are hitting Europe from the north to the south. “We need to save electrical energy and are discussing reducing public lighting at night,” says Mayor Goncalo Lopes. Meanwhile: the city’s landmark, the medieval castle is to be further illuminated. The imposing building on the hill above the city has been glowing in the Ukrainian national colors of blue and yellow since the spring. And although no decisions have been made yet, the lights in the castle will probably only go out when there is no other solution at all. We owe that to Ukraine. And such a castle, which can be seen from all parts of the city Leiria, at least offers a pleasant feeling of protection and security in times of post-Soviet threats.
Leiria In the early fall of 2022: Pulsating life in the streets of the old city. On the evening of October 6, cheerful students of the Polytechnic University parade through the streets, letting it rip once again at the beginning of the semester. On Saturday evening, mountain bikers race through the city on a closed-off course until midnight, lap after lap. Pulsating life – and in the middle of it all, 17 students from Rheine, who are taking part in the exchange program of the town twinning association. They, too, cannot escape the fascination of this lovely medium-sized town not far from the Atlantic.
The first weekend in October is also dedicated to the twinning of Rheine and Leiria. The artist Christina Sauer (Ibbenbüren), who has been leading workshops at the print workshop in Bentlage for many years, exhibits her work in the imposing former Bank of Portugal building, now a gallery in the heart of the city. The mayor takes plenty of time to welcome the guests from Rheine, led by deputy mayor Fabian Lenz. And the things that move both municipalities in this memorable time in Europe are not talked about in the town hall, but at a lavish lunch.
Leiria ist auch die Heimat zahlreicher Flüchtlinge. Viele kommen über das Mittelmeer an, aber auch Frauen und Kinder waren im März nach einer langen Busfahrt aus der Ukraine angereist. Die Stadt Leiria hatte auf Ersuchen ukrainischer Bürger, die dort seit vielen Jahren gelebt hatten, Maßnahmen ergriffen und einen Bus in Richtung der polnisch-ukrainischen Grenze geschickt, um Flüchtlinge abzuholen – oft Verwandte von Ukrainern, die in Leiria lebten. Sie hatten einen Zwischenstopp auf der langen Reise nach Rheine eingelegt, die vom Partnerschaftsverein organisiert wurde. Für viele boten die warmen Betten im Gertrudenstift die erste – relativ – normale Gelegenheit, die Nacht durchzuschlafen. Einige von ihnen waren in den ehemaligen VIP-Lounges des Fußballstadions von Leiria untergebracht. Und bei einem Besuch der Rheinenser taucht schon von weiter die Erinnerung an die kleine Hilfe in Rheine auf: “Germania, Germania” ruft eine junge Mutter, die mit ihren beiden Kindern geflohen ist.
However, the most important ambassadors of the city in the first week of October were the 17 students of the Dionysianum, the Kopernikus-Gymnasium and the Kaufmännische Schulen. They were accommodated in host families of the students from Leiria and got to know Rheines twin town in a very personal way. Excursions to the region were part of the program, as well as a visit to the beautiful city museum of Leiria and a joint cleaning action at Pedrogao beach.
When saying goodbye in the auditorium of the secondary school “Secundaria Francisco Rodrigues Lobo”, it becomes clear that many friendships were made during the short period. “Thank you for the joy you brought across. The pandemic prevented the exchange for three years. We are very happy to have resumed it and hope that this project will bear fruit,” says Lisete Pereira – the coordinating educator in Leiria – as she says goodbye. With dances and beautifully performed songs, the young people say “Farewell”. They will meet again at the end of November, when 18 exchange students from Leiria will come to Rheine for a week.