OuverTür/e – A Gateway to the Cross-Border World
From December 2025 to April 2026, a series of three Franco-German and Franco-Swiss cultural afternoons brought together students from the Universities of Strasbourg, Freiburg and Basel, as well as from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. These cross-border encounters, organised as part of the 10th anniversary celebrations of the EGTC “Eucor – The European Campus”, gave participants the opportunity to discover the city of Strasbourg and its cultural richness, while experiencing first-hand the friendship between the neighbouring countries of the Upper Rhine region.
Between Christmas market, culture and European institutions
On 4 December, the first meeting between students from Strasbourg and Karlsruhe took place in Strasbourg. In wintry weather, the 20 participants got to know one another over a mulled wine at Strasbourg’s famous Christmas market.
In the afternoon, a guided tour of the Council of Europe provided an opportunity to discuss the European institutions based in Strasbourg and European cooperation more broadly. The day then continued with the traditional Franco-German language café at the Théâtre le Maillon – Scène européenne in Strasbourg and concluded with a performance of Phèdre! by Swiss director François Gremaud, which particularly impressed the students.
An event centred on European citizenship
On 30 January, 10 students from Basel and Strasbourg met for another afternoon dedicated to Europe. The event began with workshops on European values, led by the Eucor ambassadors from the University of Strasbourg. Afterwards, the participants visited the exhibition at the “Lieu d’Europe” in Strasbourg.
These activities, conducted in both French and German, represented a linguistic challenge: not all students spoke both languages fluently. Participants therefore had to switch constantly between the two languages, adapt, reformulate their thoughts and support one another in order to ensure mutual understanding. In this way, communication itself became a genuine experience of exchange.
The language café then continued over drinks at “The People” bar. The day went on at the Manufacture des Tabacs with the German-language performance "Das Wetter zuhause. Ein Wohnzimmerballett" by Russian director Aleksandr Kapeliush, accompanied by French subtitles. The students also had the opportunity to speak with the director after the performance.
A final meeting focused on sustainability
The series concluded on 9 April with a meeting between 10 students from the Universities of Freiburg and Strasbourg. During this final afternoon, participants were able to discover Strasbourg through the lens of sustainable development, thanks to a guided tour of the “Danube” eco-district.
At Le Maillon, the students were then given a unique behind-the-scenes tour. Following this discovery, the group met for drinks to exchange ideas in German and French. This time, the discussion revolved around clothing and dress habits in connection with the play Wasted Land by director Ntando Cele, which addresses the issue of fast fashion.
Encounters that strengthen cross-border relations
Beyond the cultural discoveries, these encounters above all encouraged intensive exchanges between students from the three countries.
“I really enjoyed the fact that everyone understood each other, even though we came from different countries. I met wonderful people and was able to gain new experiences,” says Jana, a student at the University of Strasbourg. Athyna, also a student in Strasbourg, shares this enthusiasm: “What I will remember most are the many encounters and the enriching exchanges.”
Chanda, a Eucor ambassador at the University of Basel, also emphasises the importance of cross-border cooperation in the Upper Rhine region. She is convinced that students benefit greatly from this cross-border exchange, gaining new experiences and broadening their perspectives through diverse viewpoints.
This series of events demonstrates how strongly intercultural exchange can inspire students and foster a vibrant trinational friendship between France, Germany and Switzerland within Eucor – The European Campus.
By Suzanne Villinger and Diane Rouire
