Twinning Leipzig-Yerevan: Past, Present and Future in Dialogue with Dr. Gabriele Goldfuß

Dr. Gabriele Goldfuß, Head of the Office for International Affairs of the City of Leipzig, plays a pivotal role in promoting global partnerships. With her extensive experience in intercultural exchange and international project management, she enhances Leipzig's international presence, notably through sister city relationships with cities like Yerevan, Armenia. Her dedication to fostering sustainable connections between local and international stakeholders makes her a key figure in Leipzig's global initiatives. "Cultural events are the key to the diverse possibilities of municipal cooperation," emphasizes Dr. Goldfuß in an exclusive interview with Sirarpi Movsisyan.
Before the official partnership between Yerevan and Leipzig was established, deep-rooted historical and cultural ties had already linked the two cities. Leipzig has long been a significant destination for Armenian students, and Armenian cultural elements have been present in the city for centuries. However, was this cultural presence the primary motivation for the collaboration, or were there also personal and emotional connections that influenced the realization of the Memorandum of Understanding?
There are many more connections between the two cities. Personal meetings and intercultural encounters play a crucial role in every city partnership. In this context, my regular exchanges with the former Armenian ambassador, Ashot Smbatyan, had a particularly strong influence on me. During his long tenure in Berlin (starting in 2014 as an embassy counselor, then as permanent representative, chargé d'affaires, and finally as ambassador from July 2015 to November 2021), he significantly promoted cooperation between Yerevan and Leipzig.
He recognized that Leipzig had an active network of stakeholders, including the Armenian cultural diaspora. Additionally, numerous relationships dating back to the GDR and Soviet era existed, along with unique scholarly research on Armenian culture and history at the Leibniz Institute for the History and Culture of Eastern Europe. As a city of music, Leipzig also has special connections to Armenia. For instance, Leipzig-based entrepreneurs reached out to me to establish networks with Yerevan.
In the tradition of the Peaceful Revolution, parallels can be drawn to Armenia’s democratic awakening and its connection to the European community of values. The culture of remembrance also played a central role in this context. Historical ties between the two cities remain vibrant in Leipzig. In addition to many Armenian students, notable figures such as the Armenian singer, composer, and musicologist Komitas Vardapet, as well as the composer Ohan Durian—who worked as a conductor at the Leipzig Gewandhaus—studied and worked here.
Beyond these historical and cultural connections, it is especially the more recent political experiences that link the two cities. For Leipzig, the Peaceful Revolution of 1989 was of central importance. It stands for values such as openness to the world, civic engagement, democracy, and overcoming repression. Armenia, too, experienced a revolution in 2018—the Velvet Revolution. Here, as well, it was the citizens who advocated for their rights through peaceful protests and brought about political change. These shared experiences make both Leipzig and Yerevan symbols of peaceful transformation.
Another key element connecting the cities in terms of remembrance culture is the historical responsibility concerning the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire. This responsibility also led to the establishment of the Honorary Consulate, which, under the leadership of Honorary Consul Professor Dr. Flöther, continues to maintain and develop economic relations between Leipzig and Yerevan. The current Armenian ambassador, H.E. Victor Yengibaryan, is actively committed to strengthening cooperation and is an important point of contact for us. All these factors form the foundation of the partnership, which will celebrate its fifth anniversary in 2026.
What were the initial steps in establishing cooperation between Yerevan and Leipzig? How did the process unfold, and were there any challenges or aspects that did not go as planned?
At the beginning, numerous discussions took place with the Armenian embassy and many local partners. The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, as well as the Service Agency Communities in One World, also signaled their support in building the partnership. Organized by the embassy, the first orientation trip of the city of Leipzig to Yerevan took place in the summer of 2021. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, we remained determined and used every opportunity, within the framework of the regulations in place at the time, for direct exchanges and meetings.
The visit on-site was a great success: We were warmly welcomed by the city administration, the German embassy, and several ministries. A Leipzig-based company spontaneously joined us for market exploration, and many site visits were arranged. This laid the foundation for the first joint events, concerts, commemorations, and exhibitions.
The Armenian cultural community has been an active and indispensable part of our partnership network from the very beginning. It supports and accompanies our activities and regularly organizes readings, concerts, and meetings at the city partnership center for Leipzig associations at Markt 10, in cooperation with the Europahaus and Rahn Education. On weekends, language courses for Armenian children were also held there.
Regarding challenges, I would like to highlight the following: As a city, we strive to shape and implement projects in international cooperation on an equal footing with our partners. This process requires mutual understanding and continuous professional exchange, which remains a crucial foundation for the success of sustainable projects. We must continue to align our expectations, working methods, and goals with each other. Transparency is a fundamental pillar in this regard. One example is our exchange program for writers, which we are determined to announce as an open call to provide as many creative minds as possible with the opportunity to participate. For the selection process, we have also planned an international jury. On the Armenian side, the process is organized through nominations—here, too, we must learn from each other. Our supporting partners, such as the Goethe-Institut Armenia and the German embassy in Yerevan, expect us to continue developing this aspect.
Another important goal was to spark interest in Yerevan within Leipzig. For the school exchange program, we had to search intensively for a partner school in Leipzig. In Yerevan, there is already an excellent school with advanced German language skills that is highly interested in participating. During our first visit, we had the opportunity to visit School No. 60, meet its principal, and engage with the dedicated teachers. In Leipzig, we had to promote the project for a long time, but we finally succeeded: This February, the first exchange program on the theme "Break the Fake" will take place in cooperation with the Evangelical School Center Leipzig. To support this initiative, the Armenian Cultural Community e.V. submitted a funding application in collaboration with us to the East-West Encounters Foundation.
What were the initial steps in establishing cooperation between Yerevan and Leipzig? How did the process unfold, and were there any challenges or aspects that did not go as planned?
At the beginning, numerous discussions took place with the Armenian embassy and many local partners. The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, as well as the Service Agency Communities in One World, also signaled their support in building the partnership. Organized by the embassy, the first orientation trip of the city of Leipzig to Yerevan took place in the summer of 2021. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, we remained determined and used every opportunity, within the framework of the regulations in place at the time, for direct exchanges and meetings.
The visit on-site was a great success: We were warmly welcomed by the city administration, the German embassy, and several ministries. A Leipzig-based company spontaneously joined us for market exploration, and many site visits were arranged. This laid the foundation for the first joint events, concerts, commemorations, and exhibitions.
The Armenian cultural community has been an active and indispensable part of our partnership network from the very beginning. It supports and accompanies our activities and regularly organizes readings, concerts, and meetings at the city partnership center for Leipzig associations at Markt 10, in cooperation with the Europahaus and Rahn Education. On weekends, language courses for Armenian children were also held there.
Regarding challenges, I would like to highlight the following: As a city, we strive to shape and implement projects in international cooperation on an equal footing with our partners. This process requires mutual understanding and continuous professional exchange, which remains a crucial foundation for the success of sustainable projects. We must continue to align our expectations, working methods, and goals with each other. Transparency is a fundamental pillar in this regard. One example is our exchange program for writers, which we are determined to announce as an open call to provide as many creative minds as possible with the opportunity to participate. For the selection process, we have also planned an international jury. On the Armenian side, the process is organized through nominations—here, too, we must learn from each other. Our supporting partners, such as the Goethe-Institut Armenia and the German embassy in Yerevan, expect us to continue developing this aspect.
Another important goal was to spark interest in Yerevan within Leipzig. For the school exchange program, we had to search intensively for a partner school in Leipzig. In Yerevan, there is already an excellent school with advanced German language skills that is highly interested in participating. During our first visit, we had the opportunity to visit School No. 60, meet its principal, and engage with the dedicated teachers. In Leipzig, we had to promote the project for a long time, but we finally succeeded: This February, the first exchange program on the theme "Break the Fake" will take place in cooperation with the Evangelical School Center Leipzig. To support this initiative, the Armenian Cultural Community e.V. submitted a funding application in collaboration with us to the East-West Encounters Foundation.

What is the significance of the official connection between Yerevan and Leipzig? What milestones have been achieved so far, and what are the key goals that still need to be accomplished? What challenges have arisen along the way, and how are they being addressed?
I would like to use culture as an example, as it often provides the best opportunity to establish diverse relationships and build a solid foundation for further, broader cooperation. Official connections help us as a city to secure third-party funding and implement projects. This is particularly important in this area, as cultural initiatives fall under voluntary municipal tasks. Since mandatory responsibilities always take priority for any city, this must always be taken into account.
Since 2024, Kristina Raßmann, my colleague specializing in Eastern Europe with excellent Russian language skills, has been responsible for coordinating the collaboration with Yerevan. As a trained curator, she is currently initiating numerous projects in the fields of culture and education. Last year, an important working trip took place, during which our partners in Yerevan were visited, including the Goethe-Institut Armenia, the International Relations Department of the city of Yerevan, the German Embassy, and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.
We researched potential cooperation partners and discovered Yerevan’s impressive cultural landscape, which is well worth supporting. Institutions such as the HayArt Cultural Center, the Institute for Contemporary Art (ICA), and the Art Laboratory Residency are potential partners for showcasing Leipzig-based visual artists and writers. Additionally, Armenian national and municipal museums have expressed interest in collaboration.
One particularly exciting development is the introduction of the event series "Unwritten Memory," which highlights Armenia’s book tradition in Leipzig, the city of books. This project was developed in collaboration with the Armenian Ministry of Youth, Sport, and Culture, the Goethe-Institut Yerevan, the GWZO, and the Armenian Honorary Consulate. Furthermore, the Armenian National Book Stand will once again be represented at the Leipzig Book Fair in 2025.
A major highlight and a particular source of pride is the memorial plaque for Armenian poet, writer, and humanist Avetik Isahakyan, who studied in Leipzig from 1892 to 1895. In honor of his 150th birthday, this cultural and historical connection will be officially recognized. On March 25 at 4:30 PM, Leipzig’s Deputy Mayor for Culture, Dr. Skadi Jennicke, together with Armenian Minister of Culture Zhanna Andreasjan, will unveil the plaque at his former residence at Friedrich-Ebert-Straße 27. Minister Andreasjan visited Leipzig in the summer of 2024 with a large delegation during the UEFA European Championship and played a key role in advancing these initiatives.
Following the plaque unveiling, a concert will take place at the Alte Handelsbörse, and later in the evening, the Armenian multi-instrumentalist Hayk Karoyi will perform at the Center for Immersive Media Art, Music, and Technology (ZiMMT). Karoyi uniquely blends Mediterranean sounds with the rich diversity of medieval Armenian culture. This project was initiated in collaboration with the Goethe-Institut Yerevan, and I am particularly looking forward to the vibrant DJ set.
Additionally, in March 2025, a literary residency will be held in cooperation with the ARI Literature Foundation and the Literature House Leipzig. These initiatives demonstrate how culture can serve as a bridge between nations and foster sustainable connections.
What is the long-term vision for the cooperation between Yerevan and Leipzig?
On behalf of Mayor Jung, who has a strong interest in further developing this collaboration, we aim to establish it on a stable foundation and expand it for mutual benefit. As previously mentioned, cultural events are key to unlocking the many possibilities of municipal cooperation. Moving forward, we see opportunities in areas of shared interest for both cities: waste management, sustainable mobility, and smart cities—topics we have already identified with Yerevan. Additionally, trilateral projects with our long-term partner city Lyon, which is also deeply engaged in Yerevan, appear promising.
Many municipal and development policy issues are being addressed by the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) as part of the "Strengthening Sustainable and Digital Trade Routes and Logistics Concepts between Eastern Partnership Countries and the EU" project. The program’s director, Torben Heinemann, an experienced transport planner who previously worked for the city of Leipzig, is our key contact for this topic. He has been and continues to be a driving force in advancing this partnership at the European level.
This year, as part of the "Culture Moves Europe" program, we submitted an application with the Leipzig-based design studio Baustein. The goal of this project is to compare German and Armenian recycling systems and experiment with sustainable materials. A successful example we plan to showcase is the concept store of Leipzig’s municipal waste management service, located in the Höfe am Brühl shopping center.
What are your expectations for your upcoming visit to Armenia? Are there specific goals or experiences you hope to achieve?
Through our upcoming trips to Armenia, we hope to further strengthen ties between Leipzig and Yerevan and foster professional exchange and cooperation.
One key event is the trip of the Armenian cultural diaspora, Leipzig residents, and the community of Nikolaikirche at the end of June. This initiative aims to deepen cultural exchange and enhance mutual understanding between the two cultures.
Another important visit is the working trip of the International Cooperation Department and the Honorary Consulate of Armenia in Saxony. The goal is to intensify collaboration at the administrative level, plan future projects, and develop joint solutions for key issues.
A major milestone will be the first political visit from Leipzig to Yerevan in October 2025, led by Leipzig’s Deputy Mayor for Culture, Dr. Skadi Jennicke. This visit presents a unique opportunity to expand cultural relations and strengthen existing partnerships. As part of this trip, we also plan to organize a residency for a Leipzig-based writer in Yerevan and an exhibition showcasing Leipzig’s visual artists in Armenia.
Both initiatives aim to concretize cultural exchange opportunities and foster deeper connections between the artistic communities of both cities.
In summery through these upcoming visits, we expect to gain new momentum for cooperation and promote both cultural and municipal relations between Leipzig and Armenia in a sustainable way.