NB This is the second of two interviews with Connie Eggink. Due to GDPR considerations the interview and accompanying visual materials are not open to public review. In 1970, Connie Eggink led a Schiedam exchange program starting in Esslingen, Germany. Esslingen played a significant role in organizing the exchange, which involved three other cities: Schiedam, Norrköping, and for the first time, Velenje from Yugoslavia. Otto Weinmann, a key figure in the Stadtjungendring, was instrumental in involving Velenje and promoting the European idea. The Velenje group stood out for being older and carefully selected to represent their country during the Tito era. Despite language barriers, the Yugoslavian group was intriguing for the other participants. The exchange garnered attention from South German Radio, which conducted interviews discussing perspectives on European unity.
In 1971, Connie's group traveled to Norrkoping, Sweden. They were invited to visit the Swedish Air Force, which was proud of its military equipment, showcasing their newly acquired F-13 aircraft. Connie was impressed by the presence of many women in the military, reflecting a more advanced state of gender equality compared to the Netherlands at the time. Concerns about the Iron Curtain were prevalent, with a collective desire to prevent intrusion from communist nations. The group expressed relief that countries behind the Iron Curtain were capable of defending themselves, though there was a reluctance for NATO involvement.
Annually, a meeting convened in Esslingen where administrators from various regions gathered to arrange exchange programs, ensuring simultaneous involvement of three groups from three countries. Photographs from these meetings captured the stark contrast between Dutch representatives, characterized by their casual appearance with beards and long hair, and officials from France, Germany, Italy, and Sweden, who appeared more formal and well-groomed. These meetings involved decision-makers such as administrators, councilors, and mayors, who were keen on their cities participating. Despite diverse backgrounds, they shared a commitment to promoting peace, driven by their experiences of war and a determination to prevent its recurrence, marking the ethos of their generation.
Connie was 18 or 19 when she joined the community. “You have grand ideas at that age. I've always been interested in languages; I found foreign languages fascinating at school. I've always tried to learn as many different languages as possible because it helps you understand other cultures and people.” Later on, she traveled extensively as a backpacker through South America, North Africa, and Africa to meet people and understand why they do what they do. She also pursued studies in psychology to seek understanding for what motivates people, why they act the way they do, why they stand opposed to each other instead of alongside. She had the idea for many years that youth exchanges did have an effect lasting 10 or 20 years. However, Connie thinks society has changed and that not much remains of what was created back then. She thinks the generations who are in their thirties now are not very concerned with this kind of thing anymore. (Project Friends in a Cold Climate 2023)
Friends in a Cold Climate: After the Second World War a number of friendship ties were established between towns in Europe. Citizens, council-officials and church representatives were looking for peace and prosperity in a still fragmented Europe. After a visit of the Royal Mens Choir Schiedam to Esslingen in 1963, representatives of Esslingen asked Schiedam to take part in friendly exchanges involving citizens and officials. The connections expanded and in 1970, in Esslingen, a circle of friends was established tying the towns Esslingen, Schiedam, Udine (IT) Velenje (SL) Vienne (F) and Neath together. Each town of this so called “Verbund der Ringpartnerstädte” had to keep in touch with at least 2 towns within the wider network. Friends in a Cold Climate looks primarily through the eyes the citizen-participant. Their motivation for taking part may vary. For example, is there a certain engagement with the European project? Did parents instil in their children a a message of fraternisation stemming from their experiences in WWII? Or did the participants only see youth exchange only as an opportunity for a trip to a foreign country? This latter motivation of taking part for other than Euro-idealistic reasons should however not be regarded as tourist or consumer-led behaviour. Following Michel de Certeau, Friends in a Cold Climate regards citizen-participants as a producers rather than as a consumers. A participant may "put to use" the Town Twinning facilities of travel and activities in his or her own way, regardless of the programme.
Integration of West-Europe after the Second World War was driven by a broad movement aimed at peace, security and prosperity. Organised youth exchange between European cities formed an important part of that movement. This research focuses on young people who, from the 1960s onwards, participated in international exchanges organised by twinned towns, also called jumelage. Friends in a Cold Climate asks about the interactions between young people while taking into account the organisational structures on a municipal level, The project investigates the role of the ideology of a united West-Europe, individual desires for travel and freedom, the upcoming discourse about the Second World War and the influence of the prevalent “counterculture” of that period, thus shedding a light on the formative years of European integration.
