Der Elisenbrunnen in Aachen (Foto: Lumosnoxx / Pixabay)
We carry the „.eu“ in our shop’s address with pride and intention (for those who didn’t know, bogensportshop.de redirects to the .eu domain). Our location in Aachen is in the heart of Europe, with the borders of the Netherlands and Belgium just 5 km away as the crow flies.
Aachen was not only the first major German city to be captured by American troops during World War II (Battle of Aachen), but it also suffered massive destruction in the process. The remnants of the Siegfried Line still surround Aachen today, serving as a reminder that Germany did not benefit from fascism—least of all Aachen.
Since 1950, Aachen has been the home of the Charlemagne Prize, one of the most prestigious awards for public figures who have made significant contributions to Europe and European unity. Our region has always benefited from open European borders, international collaboration and peace. Our identity is just as European as it is German.
It has been that way since our founding, but today it seems more important than ever to say this openly and stand up for the European idea. That’s why we are making two changes to our shop. First, we are now offering our shop in French as a third language alongside English and German. Not only is it the native language of more than 60 million French people, but it is also spoken by millions in our neighboring country, Belgium. Additionally, we believe that speaking French as Germans—despite a long history of „hereditary enmity“—is a small yet meaningful statement against nationalism and fascism.
Secondly, you will now find a notice on our products if they come from a manufacturer or brand based in the European Union. If the United States imposes import tariffs on EU products this year, and the EU responds with tariffs on US products (which we currently expect), EU products will likely offer a better price-performance ratio. And of course, by purchasing EU brands, you support the German economy as well as that of our allied European neighbors. The notice in our shop will help guide your purchasing decisions.
