City of Markham marks 20-year partnership anniversary with sister city Nordlingen, Germany

Markham.ca
Sept. 16, 2022

2021 marked the City of Markham’s 20th anniversary of its city-to-city partnership with Nordlingen, Germany. This year, Mayor Frank Scarpitti, Councillor Karen Rea and delegates were in attendance at Stadtmauerfest, Nordlingen’s Historic Wall Festival, where a commemorative sign was unveiled to celebrate this milestone anniversary.

“We are extremely honoured by this tribute,” said Mayor Frank Scarpitti. “Nordlingen, William Berczy, and the Berczy settlers are an important part of Markham’s history and the past 20 years in particular have further strengthened our connection. We look forward to continuing our partnership for many years to come.”

As a token of appreciation, Mayor Frank Scarpitti led a tree planting ceremony and presented Nordlingen Mayor David Wittner, with a 20-Year Partnership Anniversary Certificate.

“Over the last 20 years, due in part to our shared historical roots, the partnership and friendship between our cities has grown,” said Nordlingen Mayor David Wittner. “It is my wish that we continue to expand and strengthen our bond – in particular to engage the youth of Nordlingen and Markham.”

Located 130 km north-west of Munich, Nordlingen is one of the only remaining walled medieval towns in Germany.

Over the years, Markham’s partnership with Nordlingen has provided many opportunities for cultural and student exchanges and learning opportunities between the two cities and in 2013, “Markham Street” was unveiled in Nordlingen. In 2017, the City of Markham dedicated the William Berczy statue to commemorate Canada’s 150th birthday. Special thanks go to the Markham Berczy Settlers Association, the Markham Historical Society and the Friends of Markham based in Nordlingen for their dedication and extraordinary volunteerism and efforts towards strengthening this historic relationship.

To commemorate the special occasion, a newly digitized photo album, History of the Nordlingen-Markham City-to-City Partnership, beautifully illustrating some of the exchanges between the two cities, can be viewed online at YourVoiceMarkham.ca/Nordlingen. The album was created and gifted to the City of Markham in 2013 by Aksel Rinck, who along with the above community groups has been instrumental in building and maintaining the partnership between the City of Markham and Nordlingen.

On September 10, at the age of 100, Aksel Rinck passed away in Nordlingen, Germany.The City of Markham mourns his passing and expresses our sincere condolences to his friends and family. In honour of his memory, Mayor Scarpitti led Members of Council, City Staff and the public in a moment of silence on Monday, September 12 at the Development Services Committee meeting.