Lengnau is a small town in Switzerland with 4,500 inhabitants. It has been a partner town to Strakonice for 12 years. The town is located in the northwest of Switzerland on the border of cantons, circa halfway from Biel to Solothurn in the Arre River basin at the foot of the limestone mountains of Jura. In 1997, local inhabitants celebrated 1000th anniversary of the founding of their town.

Our Swiss friends take the partnership really seriously and wear their hearts on their sleeves, which they showed as far back as in 1996 when they unexpectedly brought to Stakonice financial means for buying a wheelchair for disabled citizens, and in 2002, when Stakonice was flooded, they provided a donation in the amount of CZK 250,000. The donation was used for restoring a playground in the Barvínkov quarter.

Despite the town’s size, there is an extensive offer of leisure activities available. Apart from exploring the beauty of surrounding mountains and forests, we can find tennis courts, fitness centres and other relaxation and recreation facilities. The spare-time activities of local people are quite rich as well; there are more than thirty associations and clubs.

Local economy is based on trade and industry connected with production of fine mechanics, micro-electronics and watches. Directly in Lengnau is the seat of the world famous watch-making company RADO, the products of which can be bought all over the world and certainly in Strakonice as well.

However, Switzerland was made famous not only by watches. What about chocolate and culinary specialties? Of course, we cooperate also in this area – and with pleasure. In 2000, within the International Bagpipe Festival, there was a stall with Swiss cheese tasting available for visitors. And since it was not enough, in 2003 a culinary competition between the students of both towns took place for the first time.

As a demonstration of friendship, since 2005 Strakonice lime tree planted by representatives of both towns has graced the newly reconstructed square in Lengnau.

Culture and culinary art

In spring 2006, the Strakonice people could attend a concert of a brass band and choir from Lengnau. Regarding their good cooperation with the Strakonice brass band Nektarka, the Strakonice Municipality held a joint concert in front of the town hall.

People in Switzerland have also had a chance to get to know our culture. On the occasion of the town’s anniversary in 1997, the Strakonice Prácheň Ensemble of Songs and Dances featured in the festival together with local performers and was very successful. In 2002, within the traditional festival of Nerbenfest, Nektarka conducted by Mr. Rom performed and had also a great success.

In 2001, you could see for yourself skilful hands of a master watchmaker who presented his skills on the medieval festival of Rumpálování.

The first year of the culinary competition took part in Strakonice, with students of the local Euroschool (Euroškola), training college and a team from Lengnau taking part.

So in the Culture House, you could admire festively set-up tables, students flaming pan cakes or watch them boning fish, and of course competing menus which were judged by an expert jury. For the first time, it was the experienced Swiss who won; however, the following year held two years after that in Lengnau, our students arrived excellently prepared, so the Swiss feared for their primacy. Eventually they defended the first place, but only by a neck. We will see how the coming year will turn out.