ABSTRACT
A number of German friendship societies also collaborated with corresponding friendship societies in their partner countries – the so-called sister societies of the German societies. The German friendship societies could not have carried out their activities without the participation of “pro-German” intellectuals in other countries. Friendship societies within Germany were highly elitist associations. The friendship societies also organised tea or dinner receptions for them and other visitors to Germany. The Vereinigung zwischenstaatlicher Verbande and the regime supported not only the work of existing friendship societies, but also the foundation of new ones. All German friendship societies together, old and new, formed an extensive network. Many of the German friendship societies had a counterpart in their partner countries, that is, a friendship society whose aim was to foster relations with Germany. A number of sister societies received financial or material support from Germany, either from German friendship societies or directly from the German state.
