A full house in the Coronation Hall of Aachen City Hall. On this Monday morning, March 30, many young people from Aachen and the US twin city of Arlington are sitting where kings used to be crowned and, more recently, the International Charlemagne Prize has been awarded.

Mayor Dr. Michael Ziemons warmly welcomed the American students and their host families to the imperial city. "This is the place where all the big and important events of our city are held - with kings, presidents and high representatives. Today you are our kings and queens. We welcome you to the center of our city and to our hearts. Bringing young people together is the greatest event we can organize," said the Lord Mayor. He emphasized the importance of such an active exchange between pupils, who are the future of both countries. "A town twinning is an act of friendship across borders, across an ocean, across everything that stands between us, and this exchange is a living example of that."

Aachen and Arlington have been friends for over thirty years. On September 17, 1993, the twinning agreement was signed in Aachen City Hall The exchange between the twin cities has been part of the living relationship for 26 years: A group of Aachen students visits Arlington during the fall break and the following year, shortly before the Easter break, the group of students from Arlington comes to Aachen together with their parents or guardians. In some families, the second generation is already involved in the exchange. This year, 50 American families with 28 girls and 22 boys are taking part in the exchange.

The US Consul General in NRW, Preeti V. Shah, was delighted to see so many children from Arlington and Aachen together in one room and thanked the Aachen host families in particular for opening their homes to the American guests and allowing them to share in their lives. "Patrner towns and people like you who meet and talk to each other contribute to peace and prosperity. You are all diplomats and ensure that there is understanding between countries."

The families from the USA have been in Aachen since March 25 and can look forward to an exciting program in the region: they will visit Aachen Cathedral, the Centre Charlemagne and the Tivoli with their host families. There will also be guided tours of Maastricht and Monschau as well as a visit to the Kommern open-air museum.