Whitsun exchange with Villeneuve-la-Garenne resumes

And it was a successful meeting - despite changeable weather and last-minute changes to the program. From June 6 to 9, 2025, almost 30 guests from the French twin city, including swimmers from the A.V.G., were guests in Hof. In addition to sporting competitions, the focus was on numerous encounters, joint activities and reunions with host families.

Mayor Eva Döhla: "This exchange is much more than a sporting competition. It is an encounter that brings people together, broadens horizons and increases mutual understanding. Young people experience first-hand what it means to create something together across borders. Friendships develop, language barriers become less important and mutual respect is practiced."

The exchange between the Hof 1911 swimming club and the A.V.G. from Villeneuve-la-Garenne, which has existed since 1982, was embedded in the international competition for the first time this year. As the indoor pool at Rosenbühl was not available, the French team was officially invited by the swimming club to the International FreiBad Cup in Hof's outdoor pool - a competition under the official rules of the German Swimming Association. The French guests put in a remarkable performance and achieved third place behind the teams from Hof and Münchberg in their first participation. The traditional challenge cup of the two partner clubs thus remained in Hof.

The visit was accompanied by a varied program: a visit to the Hof fire department, where the French team was also able to test the equipment, as well as an evening together at the Waldorf School, which was moved there due to the weather. The Hof countrywomen's choir provided food and drink, including salads and bread on a stick. The German-French Society Hof and many volunteers also contributed to the success of the event.

Eva Döhla: "Special thanks go to the host families in Hof, who are very open and give young people from France a temporary home. Their commitment creates personal encounters that will live long in the memory. The contribution of the Münch family, who have accompanied and shaped this exchange for decades, is outstanding. Their reliability, experience and enjoyment of the encounter have made a significant contribution to turning a sporting contact into a genuine friendship."

The town twinning between Hof and Villeneuve-la-Garenne has existed since 1980, when committed personalities such as Mayor Roger Prevot, who campaigned for Franco-German understanding, laid the foundations for a connection that is still alive today. Over the past decades, many people from Hof have taken the opportunity to get to know the twin town - as guests, hosts or participants in various projects.