Timbuktu (Republic of Mali)
Twin town since 1968
Timbuktu is an oasis city in the West African state of Mali. It is located five kilometres from the Niger River and has been a centre of trans-Saharan trade for centuries. As early as the 15th and 16th centuries, the city was a centre of education in the Islamic world with the University of Sankoré.
The three mosques that characterise the cityscape, the Djinger-ber Mosque, the Sankóre Mosque and the Sidi Yahia Mosque, as well as 16 cemeteries and mausoleums have been UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1988.
In the 1990s, there was an uprising among the Tuareg with the aim of proclaiming their own state. The rebellion was ended in 1996 with a symbolic burning of weapons. The "Flame of Peace" in Timbuktu commemorates the historic peace agreement.
In 2006, Timbuktu was the world capital of Islamic culture.
In April 2012, the city was occupied by Islamist rebels and was only recaptured by Malian and French troops in January 2013. During the occupation, there were attacks, arrests and torture. Schools were closed and the infrastructure completely destroyed. Shortly before the reconquest, the Islamists set fire to a library, destroying unique, centuries-old writings. The city of Chemnitz supported the reconstruction of schools and infrastructure with 10,000 euros, which was raised through donations from citizens.
As part of the city partnership, the city of Chemnitz has also used donations in the past to finance extensive tree planting in Timbuktu, the supply of school materials, an aid transport with medical equipment and supplies as well as a solar system for the regional hospital. The representatives of the German Development Service (DED) provided valuable support on site.
Chemnitz has been supporting the Rendez-vous Éducatif reading festival since 2023. After a break of several years, a delegation from Timbuktu last visited Chemnitz for the twin city conference in May 2025.
| Inhabitants: | 54.400 |
| Area: | 147.9 km² |
Promotion of activities
The partnership between Chemnitz and the twelve partner cities is brought to life through projects organised by associations, initiatives, institutions and citizens. The City of Chemnitz supports this exchange with an active funding policy.
The partnership between Chemnitz and the twelve partner cities is brought to life through projects organised by associations, initiatives, institutions and citizens. The City of Chemnitz supports this exchange with an active funding policy.
moreSunday coffee with Timbuktu on 30 November 2025
Guests from Timbuktu talk about culture and everyday life in West Africa
On Sunday, 30 November at 10 a.m., interested parties are invited to a Sunday coffee with Timbuktu in the Stadtwirtschaft, Jakobstraße 46.
Guests from Chemnitz's twin city Timbuktu will talk about culture and everyday life in West Africa. Participants can chat to the guests from Mali over coffee and pastries. Translators will be present to facilitate communication.
Admission is free of charge. Afterwards, at 11 a.m., the finissage of the exhibition "Sustainable Stories" by UNU-FLORES - with pictures and videos from 37 countries - will take place.
The five-person delegation from the Malian twin city of Timbuktu is visiting Chemnitz this weekend to take part in the celebrations for the finale of the European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025. The guests are very interested in strengthening the exchange between the people and institutions in their city and in Chemnitz. The partnership association Chemnitz-Timbuktu e. V. has already been working very successfully for several years on the annual poetry festival Rendez-vous Éducatif in Timbuktu, which includes writing workshops, readings and a competition.
Chemnitz Timbuktu Partnership Association
Since the town twinning was revitalised, the Chemnitz-Timbuktu twinning association has been involved in a wide range of projects in the areas of education, health, culture and peacebuilding.
This partnership thrives on the commitment of many people: Members, donors, initiatives, companies and interested citizens are invited to get involved.
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