Friday’s deadly attack on a traditional Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany, is being felt in Nashville.
Nashville and Magdeburg officially became “sister cities” in 2003. That relationship led to the creation of an active high school student exchange program, which has deepened the interpersonal connections between the two metropolises.
Sarah Lingo, executive director of the nonprofit Sister Cities of Nashville, said she has heard from people who took part in this program as long as 10 years ago. They have reached out to send condolences and ask what they can do to help.
“The reactions of horror and outpouring of concern have been both immediate and numerous,” she said.
“I know that the dozens of Nashvillians who have participated in our exchanges as travelers to Magdeburg or hosts here in Nashville have been connecting with friends in Magdeburg. I keep, thankfully, getting reports that their friends and their families are okay, and that some were at the market when the attack occurred.”
Lingo added that Sister Cities Nashville has reached out to authorities in Magdeburg to see if there’s anything they can assist with from here.
Important milestones in the relationship between these two cities include many artistic exchanges such as photo exhibitions, theater performances and local country musicians traveling to Germany. Since 2004, young German men have been able to satisfy their military service obligation by spending a year working with the Martha O’Bryan Center, a Nashville nonprofit that offers services including food assistance and job training for families in need. And in 2010, Magdeburg raised relief funds for Nashville flood victims.
The Mayor’s Office and Metro Council are in the process of drafting a formal message to send to their counterparts in Magdeburg. In the meantime, Sister Cities of Nashville has published this statement on Facebook:
“All of us at Sister Cities of Nashville send our deepest condolences to partner city Magdeburg, Germany regarding this evening’s tragic event. Our hearts are with you and your community during this difficult time.”
