On the 10th of September 2000

The official Swearing in Ceremony took place in occasion of the twinning among Bagolino and Oettingen. Council’s Room was decorated with the national flags, dominated by the European one. Town’s main streets where decorated with festoons, flags with the colours of the European Community, Germany and Italy.

The official ceremony, the delivering of City keys and a conference upon the importance of increasing value to the common European cultural matrix, have made official the twinning among both cities. The crowded German delegation, headed by Mayor Dieter Paus, was welcomed by our First Citizen Marco Scalvini, by the Twinning Committee, by all Municipality’s Council, all citizens and the band. The council voted unanimously the agenda to make official the twinning.

After the intervention of Mayor Marco Scalvini and Mayor Dieter Paus, followed the speeches of Raffaele Rizza, Vice President of the Mountain Community in Valle Sabbia; Gianfrancesco Tomasoni, Provincial Adviser; Giuseppe Romele, Regional Adviser; Adriano Paroli, Parliamentary; and Di Tota, Vice Prefect.

All themes regarding problems and situations that affect Europe and the world have been discussed: occupation, resource’s utilization, environmental protection, protection of the cultural heritage, defence of the human rights and territorial autonomy, fight against racism, hunger and war. The intensity of the ceremony reached its maximum when the Fraternity Swearing Manuscript was read and the City keys where handed to the Mayor. After the reading and undersigning of the Swearing the band performed Europe, Germany and Italy national anthems.

It was distributed among presents a copy of the Swearing Manuscript in German and Italian language. By the end of the solemn ceremony, the procession headed by the band and folkloristic groups followed by municipality’s standard, European flag, authorities and citizens. The crowd arrived in the Main Square, where the launch of coloured balloons closed the official ceremony.

The economic, social and cultural repercussion are numerous connected with this twinning, for special in the areas of economic development, scholastic and youthful. It has officially born a real relation of cultural and economic exchange, a partnership network, mutual support that would go on in future. Class exchanges, guided tours, staying of citizen and entrepreneurs. In a Bavarian angle, beats Bagolino’s heart.

Taken from the Municipality’s Newsletter

"During the period of next year’s Carnival, if you happen to be by chance in Bavaria, exactly in Oettingen, could be amazed by learning the impressing likening among the masks of the place and those from Bagolino. How did they end up there? As everyone in Bagolino already knows a delegation from Oettingen came to visit our lands and remained fascinated by its landscapes, traditions, culture, cuisine and overall from the warmth and affection showed to them by our population.

Oettingen has 8000 inhabitants, located in a hilly area, with a mild weather and particularly oriented to industry. Will this be Bagolino’s partner in a future twining? Impression made on the delegation arrived in our lands was good, but it is needed to go thru all the steps that led Bavarians to our lands.

Saturday, March 4th, arrived from Oettingen Bayern Mayor Dieter Paus, the Vice Mayor, the responsible of the Tourist Bureau, the responsible of the Commerce Bureau and three members of the Twining and Culture Commision. Due a traffic jam, there was a delay in arrival that made skip the welcome prepared by a crowd of citizens. Bagolino’s Mayor, accompanied the delegation to visit several local companies; beginning with the one that produces pewter, run by Giorgio Tabellini. The Mayor Paus was gifted with a marvellous carafe, copy of an antique German model. Bavarians did also visit the Brass Company ran by Livio Alberti, gifted with an ashtray. By evening time, dinner was served in Ponte Caffaro, at Refino, with a meal based on lake fish. A dancing evening was also organized, welcomed with warmth applause and entertained by a pleasant music. Even Sunday was full of appointments. The visit of S. Rocco’s Church, with it’s outstanding frescoes was the first part of the journey. Then visit to the Foglio’s trout breeding. Here Mayor Paus, president of the Fishing Association in his city; received a set of printings regarding fishing production.

The other stages involved the Maniva’s water plant; the cheese factory, where guests had the pleasure to taste bagoss cheese and homemade sausages, cheese and butter were gifted to take to their homeland for not forgetting the wonderful taste of the visited land. At Gaver, as guest of the Ski Club of Vittorio Pelizzari assisted in the award ceremony of the Ski Contest of the Valle Sabbia Championship, held during this Sunday. In Valle Dorizzo, lunch by “Alpine Star” where the first contact with the Carnaval was made. It’s enough to say four women where part of the delegation. Sunday evening, at “Viandante” a typical bagoss dinner is offered to delight our Bavarians friends’ palate. Monday morning admired the capable carnival dancers, a magnificent spectacle to bring with them.

Before departure, it was signed an agreement document among both Municipalities to create a friendship relationship. The last delegation lunch was offered in Cerreto, at “Fronchino”. To finish, the Tourist Bureau of Bagolino and Ponte Caffaro’s ARC took our guests to admire Lake of Idro and it’s beauty, along the bike and pedestrian trail.

The day after departure our Mayor received a fax, full of compliments and gratitude to the people that hosted the German delegation: “From now on we are also Bagoss”. Our people has demonstrated once more the availability and warmth that distinguish ourselves.

On June, there will be a delegation from Bagolino to go to Bavaria, to be hosted in Oettingen, where a tradional Middle Age party will be held. Besides, there is a project to participate with some companies from Bagolino in the Fair organized in the Reis region, to expose their manufactures.

Serena Bonardi