BETHLEHEM, Pa. — As Musikfest pays tribute to the area's German heritage with its themes and points of interest developed over the decades, a notable group from across the pond made its way to town this week.
A contingent from Bethlehem’s German sister city, Schwäbisch Gmünd, arrived just in time for Musikfest on Tuesday, with a full itinerary for the week and important tasks at hand, according to a delegation representative.
- A German sister city delegation arrived in town on Tuesday, joining the audience at the Bethlehem City Council meeting
- The group has a full itinerary this week, featuring stops at Lehigh Valley cultural staples
- Officials will discuss potential exchange program opportunities with two local colleges
Bethlehem Sister City Administration Anna Klamann said the delegation was especially curious about how the city went from a steel-production giant to a cultural hub and more in the Northeast and beyond.
“We’re very interested in how Bethlehem managed to revitalize itself."Anna Klamann, sister city officer
“We’re very interested in how Bethlehem managed to revitalize itself,” Klamann said.
'Information sharing and learning'
The contingent is made up of Mayor Richard Arnold; council members Cynthia Schneider, Sabine Braun, Brigitte Abele, Uwe Beck and David Sopp; restaurant manager and Soccer Club President Hannes Barth; and Administrator Anna Klamann.
Klamman made note that while Bethlehem and Schwäbisch Gmünd have similar population sizes, the German partner has 53 members on its city council, versus seven here.
“There’s educational opportunities. There’s just so much information sharing and learning from each other.”Angela Stein, director of mayor's initiatives for Bethlehem
Those members also represent seven political parties there, as opposed to two being represented here.
The bunch had flown into Newark, New Jersey, a few hours before the council meeting on Tuesday, but they insisted on seeing a U.S. municipal government at work, city officials said.
“They were very, very, very committed, despite the long day of travel, to coming to the council meeting tonight,” Reynolds said Tuesday.
Bringing in the delegation, especially at a time such as Musikfest, can offer a kind of spark to the sister city partnerships, Anglela Stein, director of mayor’s initiatives, said.
“There’s educational opportunities,” Stein said. “There’s just so much information sharing and learning from each other.”
The itinerary
The group will have taken part in Lehigh Valley staples first-hand during its five full days in town.
By the time it departs Sunday afternoon, it will have gone to a Lehigh Valley IronPigs baseball game, taken a Historic Bethlehem walking tour, walked through the Martin guitar facility, toured the National Museum of Industrial History, walked the Hoover Mason Trestle at SteelStacks, toured ArtsQuest, seen the Just Born facility and even jammed out at Musikfest.
Among that itinerary, they’ll be discussing potential exchange program opportunities with representatives of Moravian University and Northampton Community College.
Bethlehem has partnered with Schwäbisch Gmünd since 1991. Other Christmas City partnerships include Corfu, Greece; Foiano di Val Fortore, Italy; Murska Sobota, Slovenia; and Tondabayashi, Japan.Bethlehem City officials
There also will be talks about economic revitalization between the delegation and local entities such as the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp., among others.
And, of course, the group will have grubbed at the Sun Inn Tavern, Wilbur Mansion and the Brew Works’ Steelgaarden.
Bethlehem has partnered with Schwäbisch Gmünd since 1991. Other Christmas City partnerships include Corfu, Greece; Foiano di Val Fortore, Italy; Murska Sobota, Slovenia; and Tondabayashi, Japan.
A can't-miss concert
The delegation also will have witnessed The Bach Choir of Bethlehem performing live, as it’s not only the 40th year for Musikfest but also the 125th anniversary of the musical ensemble, according to a media release from ArtsQuest.
“The Bach Choir of Bethlehem is a staple, and we are delighted that the delegation from Schwäbisch Gmünd will enjoy one of their performances as part of their festival and Bethlehem experience."Kassie Hilgert, ArtsQuest president and CEO
"The Bach Choir of Bethlehem is excited to welcome Mayor Arnold and the delegation from Schwäbisch Gmünd to Bethlehem with our special Musikfest performance,” Leela Breithaupt, executive director of The Bach Choir of Bethlehem, said.
“Our friends from our German sister city have been such wonderful partners, and we look forward to performing in their magnificent gothic cathedral on our June 2024 European Tour."
ArtsQuest President Kassie Hilgert said, “The Bach Choir of Bethlehem is a staple, and we are delighted that the delegation from Schwäbisch Gmünd will enjoy one of their performances as part of their festival and Bethlehem experience.”
