Franco-German Day

Franco-German Day
Franco-German Day
	Franco-German flag
Official name	de: Deutsch-Französischer Tag ; fr: Journée franco-allemande
Observed by	France, Germany
Type	National, cultural
Celebrations	Workshops, projects, student exchanges, language promotions, baking (normally traditional food from the other country)
Date	22 January
Frequency	Annual
First time	2003
Started by	France and Germany

The Franco-German Day (German: Deutsch-Französischer Tag (DFT); French: Journée franco-allemande (JFA)) is an annual holiday celebrated in Germany and France. It is mainly celebrated in institutions such as schools and even results in events such as student exchanges, where French and German students take part in different activities.^[1]^[2]

History

French president Jacques Chirac and German chancellor Gerhard Schröder introduced the Franco-German Day on the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Élysée Treaty in 1963. Article 16 of the joint declaration of both governments of 22 January 2003 states:

"We declare January 22nd as the 'Franco-German Day' We hope that in the future this day will be dedicated in all institutions of our educational systems to presenting our bilateral relations, promoting the partner language and providing information about exchange and meeting programs as well as about study and employment opportunities in the partner country."^[3]

Since its foundation in 2003, it has a different motto every year, such as "Rediscovering France – Germany, a country to rediscover" (Frankreich neu entdecken – l’Allemagne, un pays à redécouvri) in the language of the other country in 2007/08.

The foreign ministries in both countries, the ministries of Culture and Education in both countries are the main contributors to the implementation of the Franco-German Day. But the commitment of schools and private initiatives are as much important as the ministries.

German chancellor Angela Merkel and French president Emmanuel Macron signed the Aachen Treaty on the Franco-German day in 2019, which consisted of various steps in promoting Franco-German relations.

References

^ "Deutsch-Französischer Tag". Baden-Württemberg.de (in German). Retrieved 2025-01-20.
^ "Die schulischen Einrichtungen sind weitgehend frei in der Gestaltung des Tages. Ihre Fantasie trägt Früchte: Textinterpretationen im Unterricht, Essen aus dem Partnerland in der Schulmensa, Ausstellungen im Gymnasium, Dialog mit externen Gästen und noch viel mehr". French embassy in Germany. 29 August 2019.
^ Wichard Woyke (2004), [Inhaltsverzeichnis Deutsch-französische Beziehungen seit der Wiedervereinigung] (Das Tandem fasst wieder Tritt) (2. Auflage ed.), Wiesbaden: Springer Verlag, p. 316, ISBN 978-3-322-81021-2, retrieved 2018-01-22 {{citation}}: Check |url= value (help)

[1] "Deutsch-Französischer Tag". Baden-Württemberg.de (in German). Retrieved 2025-01-20.

[2] "Die schulischen Einrichtungen sind weitgehend frei in der Gestaltung des Tages. Ihre Fantasie trägt Früchte: Textinterpretationen im Unterricht, Essen aus dem Partnerland in der Schulmensa, Ausstellungen im Gymnasium, Dialog mit externen Gästen und noch viel mehr". French embassy in Germany. 29 August 2019.

[3] Wichard Woyke (2004), [Inhaltsverzeichnis Deutsch-französische Beziehungen seit der Wiedervereinigung] (Das Tandem fasst wieder Tritt) (2. Auflage ed.), Wiesbaden: Springer Verlag, p. 316, ISBN 978-3-322-81021-2, retrieved 2018-01-22 {{citation}}: Check |url= value (help)

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