More than 200 guests gathered in Mainz, Germany, last week to celebrate 50 years of German/English student exchange between Watford Grammar School for Boys and the Gymnasium am Kurfuerstlichen Schloss.
The German/English exchange between the two schools started in 1965 and since then 3,500 students from both schools have taken part in the exchange programme.
The anniversary celebrations begun on Thursday last week at the Gymnasium am Kurfuerstlichen Schloss with performances of English songs, music, sketches and poems.
There was also an exhibition of posters, about Watford, London and English culture generally, made by some of the German pupils during their English lessons.
One German student Deven Voralia, also showcased his views of Mainz.
English Teaching Assistant, Miss Annie Leverton, offered English food and tea in an "English cafe" set up especially for the evening.
The event was attended by grammar school head Mark Allchorn, teaching staff and 22 boys taking part in the exchange this term.
The Deputy Mayor of Mainz, Mr Kurt Merkator also attended the event together with headteacher, Mrs Barbara Wonneberger, staff and pupils of the Gymnasium am Kurfuerstlichen Schloss.
Volker Henn, an English Teacher at the German school, said: "I have organised the Watford exchange five times since 2004 and we are very proud of this 50-year-long tradition of our school exchange which has made many friends on both sides.
"It is an honour for us to hold this celebration event and we look forward to coming to Watford in June 2015 where the celebrations will continue."
Mr Allchorn said: "This is indeed a special year for both our Schools and we are delighted to have been able to attend the event on February 19 in Mainz.
"This student exchange has given generations of students the opportunity to travel abroad and experience the culture and the language of Germany at first hand. The trip to Mainz has become a School tradition and long may it continue!."
The grammar school will be hosting a reciprocal anniversary event for guests and German students in Watford in June.
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