Braunschweig, located in north-central Germany in the state Niedersachsen, is the sister city of Omaha, Nebraska. Braunschweig is a real gem in Germany. Some of its most notable sites include the Burgplatz, which was the seat of the Braunschweig princes from the 9^th century onwards, the Herzog Anton Ulrich Museum of Baroque and Renaissance Art, and the Romanesque Dankwarderode Castle.

The first contacts between Braunschweig and Omaha were initiated in 1985 by the German-American Society in Omaha. With exchange programs for high school and college students, young people and adults, a city friendship was initiated, which was sealed with a contract on May 22, 1992.

Since then, relations have been maintained on a regular basis. The youth exchange organized by the Department for Youth Development of the City of Braunschweig, the student exchange between a grammar school in Braunschweig and a high school in Omaha, as well as the student exchange between the TU Braunschweig and the University of Nebraska at Omaha still take place today.

In addition, cultural events such as choir or music performances are organized and exchange in the field of business is supported. In particular, the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce maintains contacts with the Braunschweig Chamber of Industry and Commerce in order to initiate co-operations between start-up companies in both cities.

The official exchange between city administrations and political bodies organized in Omaha by the Omaha Sister Cities Association (OSCA) has also established itself over the years and is often linked to various projects.

In 2015, an official delegation from Braunschweig visited the 50th anniversary celebration of the OSCA and used this occasion for discussions to further expand relations. This gave rise to the idea for the next major project between Braunschweig and Omaha, which was realized in Braunschweig as part of the 25th city friendship anniversary in the year.

On the occasion of the 25th anniversary a series of events took place in June 2017 in Braun-schweig. The Braunschweig State Orchestra gave a symphony concert under the musical direction of Thomas Wilkins, Music Director of the Omaha Symphony Orchestra. At the same time the annual youth exchange, the student exchange and the slide show of a Brauschweig artist about her visit to Omaha took place.

The next project planned by Braunschweig is the participation of an artist group from Omaha in the “Braunschweiger Kulturnacht 2019.” Omaha is currently planning to paint a wall in Omaha with Braunschweig-related themes and to name a square after the sister city.

For more on Braunschweig visit https://www.braunschweig.de/.

For Omaha, visit https://www.visitomaha.com/.