Summary information

Study title

Friends in a Cold Climate: Schiedam-2b

Creator

de Jager MA, E. J. (Erik J. de Jager Documentary Films & Projects)

Study number / PID

doi:10.17026/SS/MLCACC (DOI)

Data access

Information not available

Series

Friends in a Cold Climate

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...

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Abstract

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...
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Topics

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Methodology

Data collection period

15/05/2022 - 24/01/2023

Country

Time dimension

Not available

Analysis unit

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Universe

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Sampling procedure

Not available

Kind of data

Text, video data

Data collection mode

Not available

Access

Publisher

Erik J. de Jager MA

Publication year

2024

Terms of data access

Not available

Related publications

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