Na linii Olsztyn-Chateauroux

"Oh Chateauroux, I know all the streets that intersect you from one end to the other ... I run through all the streets, I push you, I recognize you, I love you like the leaves through which a sunbeam is shining and laughter can be heard. All that a child defended I accept. La Rue Descante-de-Ville, I am walking along it ... I am exposing all the secrets that have intrigued me for six years." This is how in 1920 Jean Giraudoux depicted the town of his school years in the novel Adorable Clio.
 Chateauroux has existed for ten centuries. It is located in the center of France in the Indre Department, about 250 km away from Paris. It has a population of about 56,000, 5000 hectares of green areas, and a river flowing through it. Its picturesque location and favorable climate allow it to constantly display a magnitude of flowers (the town received the Four Flowers Award).
 Due to its advantageous location in Central France on the A20 motorway and the Paris - Toulouse railway line, Chateauroux has attracted investors of international renown including Harry's, Berry Tuft, Hydro Aluminium, Newell (Pyrex) and André.
 The name Chateauroux dates back to 927 and derives from the words Chateau Raoul (Raoul's Castle).
 The old city has maintained its appearance and atmosphere, as well as its culture and traditions.
 Three museums show the changes that have taken place in Chateauroux over the centuries, The Grand Equinoxe Theatre sponsored by the Ministry of Culture provides entertainment of high quality, and the Mediotheque offers access to over 400,000 documents.
About 10 years ago, the personal contacts of Olsztyn and Chateauroux's inhabitants led to the signing of formal agreements between the authorities of both cities.
 In 1991, Olsztyn and Chateauroux signed a twin city agreement that has helped to tighten the relations between the two cities. The agreement provides for the cooperation relating to culture, tourism, economy, social issues and education.
 This year's anniversary provides a splendid opportunity for summarizing the cooperation so far and making new plans for the future.
 The cultural exchange is expanding to more and more fields. Since the signing of the agreement, dancers from Olsztyn have practiced in Chateauroux every year. Cooperation between groups of artists has lead to numerous exhibitions; this year artists from Chateauroux will exhibit their works at the Biuro Wystaw Artystycznych gallery in Olsztyn. The Radość, Warmia and Olsztyn groups from Olsztyn and the Collegium Baccalarum choirs have given numerous successful performances in Chateauroux, presenting the traditions of the Olsztyn Region.

 In the last ten years, physicians from Olsztyn have often visited Chateauroux's hospitals for training, and Olsztyn has often hosted medical experts from the partner city. In 1993, both cities signed an agreement of cooperation between their hospitals. As a result, a number of medical conferences have been held.
 The cooperation also stands for charity. The inhabitants of Chateauroux have aided Olsztyn's hospitals and orphanages with transports of medicines and other gifts.
 At the beginning of the 1990's, the fire brigades of Chateauroux and Olsztyn began working together. Initially firemen from Olsztyn visited Chateauroux in order to see firefighters at work in France. In 1997 and 1998, a team of firemen from Chateauroux took part in the Polish scuba diving championships in Olsztyn. The range of cooperation has now been extended to scuba diving and rescue techniques.
 As far as economic exchange is concerned, great emphasis has been placed on fairs, which exhibit and promote various branches of the food industry and small-scale production as well as handicraft. For many years, Chateauroux has been the host of a twin city fair. Apart from Olsztyn, Chateauroux's other twin cities, Gütersloh and Bittou, participate in the fair. Companies such as Polain-Polhard, a producer of Polish bread and cakes, Pimasso, who make hand painted Christmas decorations and ceramics, and companies manufacturing embroidered and crocheted products and wooden sculpture. Additionally, Chateauroux organizes Christmas fairs have so far represented Olsztyn. The French city regularly participates in the Infatour Mazury tourism fair in Olsztyn.
 In addition to these regular contacts, the cities cooperate in the fields of sport and tourism. This includes participation in the International Youth Football Tournament, the International Chess Tournament and the Judo Tournament in Chateauroux, as well as in swimming competitions among which a contest for disabled swimmers has been the most significant.
 The activities of the French-Polish Society in Chateauroux include Polish language courses, with the Twin Cities Committee coordinating all cooperation.
 The 10th anniversary of the cooperation agreement will be celebrated this year by both cities (25-27 May in Olsztyn and 9-17 June in Chateauroux). Apart from official meetings, many artistic and sport events and a Polish Fair in Chateauroux have been planned. Chateauroux will host about 100 visitors from Olsztyn, mostly children and students, who will present our culture and music and participate in sports competitions. Olsztyn has invited representatives of Chateauroux's local government to a special picnic on May 26. Marie Coutant, a French singer associated with Chateauroux, will be the star of the picnic.
 All of these shared activities ensure a close relations between the cities, consolidated through regular official visits.