Sister city Changzhou brings a short but powerful visit to Tilburg.

For 21 years Tilburg has maintained a sister relationship with Changzhou, a city in one of the most developed provinces of China (Jiangsu Province). Changzhou has 3.5 million inhabitants and, just like Tilburg, has a rich past as a textile city. The sister city relationship focuses on cooperation in the economic, but also cultural and educational field.

On Thursday 17 May Tilburg received a six-headed delegation from Changzhou. The visit started with an introduction to the Beatrix College. The bilingual education programme (TTA) has the motto 'From Til-citizens to World-citizens' and is looking for a partnership with a Chinese partner school to start virtual projects, for example.

At the moment 500 Chinese students are studying at Tilburg University. How much fun is it to be welcomed by a student from Changzhou and to pay a short visit to the university?

The programme

In the afternoon the focus was on the Spoorzone. After a guided tour with attention for Tilburg's cultural heritage, they got a sneak preview of the LocHal. Also in Changzhou a new library is currently being built. A great opportunity to exchange ideas with each other. The afternoon ended with a guided tour in the TextielLab. A nice connection with the past of both countries.

Alderman for Education and Culture, Marcelle Hendrickx, invited the delegation for a closing dinner at De Wagon. Here the education and culture sector in Tilburg was discussed again. Pupils of Odulphuslyceum who recently were in Changzhou for an exchange, presented their findings. A great ending to a short but powerful visit to Tilburg.