Paper short abstract:

This paper will examine the transnational project of Strasbourg and its German neighbour city Kehl and the role of memory, oblivion and democracy as its constituting elements. In spite of the opportunities of such a project, it is also in conflict to Strasbourg’s European ambitions and democratic self-understanding.

Paper long abstract:

The NATO summit in April 2009 celebrating the 60th anniversary of the institution took place in the French city of Strasbourg and the German cities of Baden Baden and Kehl but without its habitants forced to leave theirs residences during the summit. The choice of neighbouring cities in different countries that share a common, conflict-laden history is highly symbolic as a sign of Franco-German reconciliation. But this was done without people's participation. That's why civil associations organized protests against the suspension of several liberal rights and the exclusion of civil society.

The same year was signed a prospective political project to constitute a transnational municipality (Strasbourg-Kehl) with legal instruments and an own budget.

This paper will examine the project of a transnational border city and the role of memory, oblivion and democracy as its constituting elements. As representations have historical and geographical functions, the analysis will focus on the following issues: the rewriting of history, the "esthetization" of the past and the public space, and the multiple and sometimes contradictory demands for recognition. One delicate aspect of the transnational project is that the creation of a Greater Strasbourg that includes its neighbouring German town was already realized by the Nazis during World War II, a "detail" which is "forgotten" in our days.

Democratic practices differ very much in France and Germany. How a transnational

city can consider these different traditions? Will citizens be included in the elaboration of a transnational project?

By reference to historical occurrences at current actions in the French-German border region we hope to get some answers to our questions.