Culture and Stories Exchange with Twin City, Kiel

Aaron Ashmore, author of popular books celebrating Coventry’s rich heritage, has returned from a special visit to Kiel, one of Coventry’s twin cities, as part of the ongoing Coventry-Kiel cultural exchange.

The trip, which took place from 20th to 23rd May, was an exciting chance to deepen the friendship between the two cities while sharing Coventry’s history and stories with hundreds of young people across several schools in Kiel.

Coventry and Kiel have been twin cities since 1947, a relationship founded on mutual understanding and cultural exchange in the years following World War II. Coventry is proud to have 27 twin cities worldwide, fostering international friendships and collaborations across the globe.

During the visit, Aaron spoke passionately about Coventry’s rich past and the tales from his books, inspiring many enthusiastic students at Hans-Geiger-Gymnasium, Ricarda-Huch-Schule and Gymnasium Kronshagen. One memorable session was held in the striking Universitätskirche ESG Kiel - a triangular church with stunning stained glass windows reaching up to the roof, creating a truly special setting for learning.

Reflecting on the trip, Aaron expressed gratitude to everyone who organised the visit and warmly welcomed him to Kiel. “I met so many wonderful people and was inspired by the enthusiasm of the young people. I’m excited to see how the Coventry-Kiel exchange continues to grow and flourish in the future,” he said.

Roxi, a student at Hans-Geiger-Gymnasium, said: “Aaron presented Coventry’s history in an engaging and thoughtful way. It was really interesting to learn about a place that many of us hadn’t heard much about before. His kindness and enthusiasm really made the visit special for us.”

Kim Wree, a teacher at Ricarda-Huch-Schule, said: “Aaron’s visit brought Coventry’s history and culture to life for our students in a way that was both inspiring and relatable. The unique setting of the Universitätskirche made the experience even more special.”

Beyond the classroom, Aaron sampled Kiel’s signature dish, Fischbrötchen (herring in a bun). Despite some friendly warnings about its acquired taste, Aaron found himself enjoying the local specialty and encourages future visitors to give it a try.

Nikolai Press, part of the Coventry Association for International Friendship (CAIF), which partnered with Aaron for the visit, added: “As twin cities, Coventry and Kiel share a special bond. Aaron’s visit has been a fantastic opportunity to strengthen ties between our communities. Sharing stories and culture with young people helps build lasting friendships and mutual understanding between our cities.”

For more information on Coventry twin cities, visit www.caifonline.com and for more of Aaron’s work, head over to www.etchandpin.co.uk.