05/31/2026
Die Beziehungen zwischen Deutschland und Zentral-Illinois bleiben stark. Herzlichen Glückwunsch a die German American Central Society, Friends of Friedrichshafen, & City of Peoria Illinois - Government! Auf weitere 50 Jahre! 🥂5️⃣0️⃣⏰🎉 🇺🇸🇩🇪🌎
The connections between Germany and Central Illinois remain strong as ever. Congratulations to the German American Central Society and Friends of Friedrichschafen, & City of Peoria! Here’s to 50 years more!
Peoria and Friedrichshafen, Germany, Celebrate Milestone Anniversary
Honoring 50 Years of Sister City Friendship and Cultural Exchange
May 28, 2026 (Peoria, IL) This year, Peoria and Friedrichshafen will celebrate the 50th anniversary of their sister city relationship, marking five decades of cultural connections, youth exchanges, business partnerships, and enduring personal friendships between citizens of the two communities.
Founded in 1976 through shared ties between Caterpillar and Zeppelin, the relationship has grown into one of the most active sister city partnerships in the United States. Over the past fifty years, hundreds of youth, families, civic leaders, and volunteers have participated in partnerships that have transformed international connections into lifelong friendships.
Anniversary events are planned in Peoria from June 3 through the June 7 and in Friedrichshafen from September 30 to October 4, bringing together current and former participants, civic leaders, host families, and community supporters to honor the partnership’s legacy and look toward its future.
Peoria Mayor Rita Ali emphasized the importance of people-to-people diplomacy in today’s world. “At a time when division and uncertainty too often dominate global conversations, the friendship between Peoria and Friedrichshafen reminds us that lasting peace begins with personal relationships. For fifty years, our citizens have opened their homes, shared their cultures, and built bonds that transcend borders. Those human connections are more important today than ever before.”
Friedrichshafen Oberbürgermeister Simon Blümcke also highlighted the significance of international friendship built through direct personal experience. “Our sister city partnership demonstrates that international understanding is not created through governments alone, but through families, students, neighbors, and friends who learn from one another. The relationship between Friedrichshafen and Peoria has shown for fifty years that mutual respect and friendship can unite communities across continents.”
A centerpiece of the relationship has been the youth exchange program, believed to be among the longest continuously running student exchanges in the country. More than 900 students from both cities have experienced daily life abroad through host families, creating friendships that have continued for decades.
The anniversary celebration will also recognize the many volunteers and community organizations that sustained the partnership throughout the past fifty years, including the Friends of Friedrichshafen in Peoria and the Peoria Club in Friedrichshafen. The public is invited to greet the German guests on Saturday, June 6, at the German American Central Society Sommerfest event, held at Hickory Grove Park, 12403 N Hickory Grove Road, Dunlap.
For information, visit www.peoriasistercity.org or email the Friends of Friedrichshafen at [email protected].
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