When does the event take place?

The event begins on December 10, 2026, at 6:30 PM and is expected to end around 8:00 PM.

Where is the lecture taking place?

The venue is WWG - Economic Science and Natural Science Technical Gymnasium of the City of Bayreuth, Ostbau, Am Sportpark 1, 95448 Bayreuth.

What is the admission fee?

The admission fee is €7.80 per person.

What is the content focus?

The focus is on the Élysée Treaty of 1963 and its significance for Franco-German reconciliation as well as for 60 years of European unification history.

Is registration required?

Yes, registration will be available from September 2026 through vhs Bayreuth. A free cancellation is possible until December 3, 2026.

Are there any travel information?

According to the event details, the venue has its own parking, bicycle racks, and sanitary facilities.

Élysée Treaty Bayreuth 2026

Name: From Enemy to Friend – The Élysée Treaty and Franco-German Reconciliation
Start: 2026-12-10T19:30:00+01:00
End: 2026-12-10T21:00:00+01:00
Location: WWG - Wirtschaftswissenschaftliches und Naturwissenschaftlich-technologisches Gymnasium der Stadt Bayreuth, Ostbau

An Evening on Europe's Clever Reconciliation: The Élysée Treaty in Bayreuth

This lecture focuses on a turning point in European post-war history: the Élysée Treaty of January 22, 1963, and its consequences for Franco-German reconciliation. In Bayreuth, this becomes not a dry historical lecture, but a literarily and politically charged evening about trust, memory, and the power of diplomatic gestures.

When Enmity Becomes History

The perspective on the decades following three wars in 75 years sharpens the understanding of the historical significance of this treaty. What began as an unlikely break from the old friend-enemy dichotomy evolved into a cornerstone of European unification history. The lecture tells this development as a movement from distrust to political closeness, from cautious rapprochement to viable cooperation.

A Topic for All Who Want to Understand Europe's Present

Today, Franco-German reconciliation feels like a lasting cultural and democratic project. Those interested in political education, contemporary history, and European narratives will not experience an abstract history lesson here but a clear contextualization of ideas, decisions, and impacts. The reading atmosphere of a lecture is created here through precise language, historical depth, and direct relevance to the present.

Bayreuth in the Anniversary Year

The event is part of the anniversary year 60 Years of Jumelage Bayreuth-Annecy and is organized in collaboration with the Franco-German Society Bayreuth. This gives the evening an additional cultural dimension: it connects European memory culture with local engagement and shows how partnerships remain alive across generations.

A Venue with Educational and Urban Roots

The lecture takes place at WWG, a municipal grammar school at Am Sportpark 1. The venue fits the factual, education-oriented focus of the evening: concentrated, easily accessible, and tailored to an audience of adults, students, guests, and seniors. Information about its own parking, bicycle racks, and sanitary facilities emphasizes practical comfort.

Conclusion: An Evening for Bright Minds and European Hearts

For those who want to not just know historical contexts but understand them, this evening offers a challenging yet accessible experience. The reading or lecture connects political reflection with cultural depth and makes it clear why the Élysée Treaty still resonates today. On December 10, 2026, the visit to Bayreuth is worthwhile for all who wish to experience Europe as a lived idea.