250 years USA: The Bliesbruck-Reinheim Cultural Park was dedicated to the American Independence Day
Celts, Romans and Revolution: How this fits together was demonstrated at the music picnic, to which the European Cultural Park Bliesbruck-Reinheim in cooperation with the German-American Institute (DAI) Saarland and the Saarpfalz district had invited. The historically significant site on the German-French border was the venue for a varied program. The occasion was the 250th anniversary of American independence.
A highlight was the visit by the American author Karen Shambaugh Rink. She presented her book "My Greatest Adventure." Rink lives with her family in the border region of France and belongs to the "Daughters of the American Revolution" (DAR), the volunteer women's organization founded in 1890 that preserves the achievements of American independence through various programs and activities. Any woman aged 18 or older who can document a direct ancestor who contributed to American independence can participate. The author tells the story of three young people from Alsace who went to America with the Régiment Royal Deux-Ponts and fought for the independence of the 13 colonies from the British Crown in the Battle of Yorktown, Virginia. The involvement of French, Palatines and Saarpfalz residents in the War of Independence remains a strong link between Zweibrücken and its partner city Yorktown in Virginia to this day.
The 250th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence of July 4, 1776 was also the decisive reason for the German-American Institute (DAI) Saarland and the Saarpfalz district to commemorate this day. The first contacts with the partner county Henrico County VA began 30 years ago. With financial support from the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Embassy, and the "European Cultural Park" foundation, a tradition associated with American Independence Day was continued on the extensive grounds in Reinheim with a picnic offering.
Following another tradition, the Red Falcons cheerleaders of TUS Rimschweiler amazed visitors with demonstrations of jumps, lifts and walkarounds and encouraged participation. Children enjoyed trying out a lift figure under the secure and professional guidance of coach Selina Graf. Adults also joined in with great interest and enthusiasm – such as in pompom waving.
The musical opening was provided by Hans Bollinger, Thomas Doll and Christoph Kleuser. In the shade of the tavern, they interpreted in a summery atmosphere with their matinee "Andre, who did not love the country so much," among others, songs of the emigrant movement to the "New World." Gerhard Lang and Bernadette Becker from the band "Times and Tales" emphasized the mood of a cheerful summer afternoon with their music. The culinary offerings of the tavern perfectly complemented this. An English-language guided tour and an introductory tour in German conveyed the historical background of the park up to the camp of the Roman group "Legio XIIII Gemina" on the picnic meadows.
"The DAI will also plan an event for the 4th of July again next year," informs Prof. Dr. Astrid Fellner, DAI managing director, who was in the park with her team. Stefan Munz, managing director of the European Cultural Park foundation, who accompanied the day with his team, wants to keep the picnic offering as part of the program in the long term.
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Photo Musikpicknick-EKP3.jpg: Olivier Weissend
Caption: Author Karen Rink, DAI team and Roman group "Legio XIIII Gemina" in front of the tavern
Photo Musikpicknick-EKP4.jpg: Olivier Weissend
Caption: Red Falcons cheerleaders of TUS Rimschweiler
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Contact persons:
Anika Bäcker,
anika.baecker@saarpfalz-kreis.de, 06841 104-8214
Dr. Johann Horras,
johann.horras@saarpfalz-kreis.de, 06841 104-8218
Beate Ruffing,
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