France/ Twinning with Romania relaunched

The resumption of relations with the Romanians, the anniversary of the twinning with the Germans, the calendar of festive events, the lack of interest shown by young people in trips, all provided food for discussion at the general meeting of the twinning committee.

"Young people are less inclined to seek out other cultures, at least in the form of physical encounters, and are more inclined to exchange via the Internet. Twinning players are wondering whether other ways of exchanging are needed. At the start of the general meeting of Loire et Auxence sans frontière, Jean Réthoré, its president, pointed out that twinning is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain. " It's an observation we make at meetings between twinning organizations in the Ancenis region, of which there are around ten," he emphasized.

"With Orscholz, in Germany, exchanges are frequent. There are also regular contacts with Knigthon in Wales. But with Bézid, Romania, it's more difficult," explains Jean Réthoré. "In 2019, a trip was in the pipeline, but Covid put a stop to everything, and since then we've had virtually no news. A small delegation did go in October.

A delegation was in Bézid, Romania, from October 2 to 6

In early October, a six-person delegation flew to Romania, landing in Cluj, two hours from Bézid. The delegation comprised : Stéphane Brehier; Jean Réthoré, President of Loire et Auxence sans frontières; Michel Brun, Loireauxence's delegate for associations Pascal Cluseau, deputy mayor of Belligné; Joseph Gaudiche and Charles Couraud, two of the pioneers of this Romanian twinning.

In this village of 400 inhabitants, 55 children are at school, and they have a grassy playground. The access road, which used to be dirt, was asphalted in 2017, and they still have their fire engine, which was brought over from France some thirty years ago", says Charles Couraud. Due to ownership problems, the Bézid gîte, financed by the twinning committee, has fallen into disrepair. The delegation was received by the mayor of San Giorgiu, who manages the village of Bézid. He seems very attached to the twinning.

Next year, the Germans will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the twinning.

In 2025, the Germans will celebrate 40 years of twinning in Orscholz. As usual, they will send a delegation to the Varades fair. From May 14 to 17, 2026, Loire et Auxence sans frontière will celebrate the anniversaries of the three twinning arrangements: 40 years with Orscholz, 25 years with Bézid, 15 years with Wales. The friends of Knighton have also extended an invitation to their carnival, which will take place at the end of August. The 24-hour roller race on the Le Mans roller circuit, in conjunction with the Germans, will take place on July 12 and 13.

In 2025, the twinning fee will rise to €10 for individuals and €20 for families. Marie-Françoise Couraud, Yannick Guilbault, Irène Longépé and Jacques Derouet were re-elected to the fifteen-member Board of Directors. Marie-Gabrielle Jonchère did not stand for re-election.

Source: www.ouest-france.fr/