Penzance and Concarneau Celebrate Over 40 Years of Friendship with New Milestones

Decades-Long Partnership Overcomes Brexit and Covid

The long-standing twinning between Penzance and the Breton port of Concarneau has emerged stronger than ever after overcoming the challenges posed by Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic. The association, which has been active for over forty years, continues to foster ties between the two towns through a variety of cultural exchanges and community events.

Bagad Bro Konk Kerne Steals the Show at Golowan Festival

A highlight of this year’s activities was the visit of the Bagad Bro Konk Kerne pipe band to the Golowan Festival. Making their first appearance in twelve years, the band captivated audiences during the Mazey Day parades and their performances on Quay Fair Day. Their visit was made possible through the support of the Golowan Band, Golowan CIC, and Penzance Town Mayor Stephen Reynolds.

The trip was largely self-funded by the band, reflecting the strength of the cultural bonds between the two towns. More information about the festival can be found on the Golowan Festival website.

Photo: The Bagad Bro Konk Kerne pipe band visiting for Mazey Day

Honouring the Past: Liberation Commemorations in Concarneau

In a recent show of international solidarity, Concarneau Mayor Marc Bigot invited Penzance Town Mayor Stephen Reynolds, along with the Mayor of Senne in Germany, to participate in the commemorations marking the liberation of Concarneau from German occupation on 25th August 2024.

Accompanied by his consort Jane Lambert, and Twinning Association members Karen Bennett and Peter Crumpler, Stephen laid wreaths at the graves of Commonwealth servicemen who died during the liberation. The delegation also attended ceremonies honouring Resistance fighters and met with Jean Perru, one of the last surviving Resistance fighters, who shared his vivid memories of the struggle.

The commemorations concluded with a ceremony in the town hall square, where all three mayors addressed a large crowd in a powerful display of friendship and mutual respect.

Strengthening Ties Through Cultural Exchanges

The Penzance Concarneau Twinning Association regularly organises activities in the Penzance area, including boules games, treasure hunts, quizzes, walking and photography groups, wine tasting, and French language classes. These events provide opportunities for residents to engage with Breton culture and build lasting friendships.

Group visits to Concarneau are also a staple of the association’s calendar, allowing participants to enjoy the hospitality and explore the cultural similarities and differences between the two towns. The association hopes to revive historic links between the twin towns’ firefighters and lifeboat crews in the coming years.

A Shared Heritage

The association’s activities are almost entirely self-funded, demonstrating the dedication of its members to preserving the shared heritage of Breton and Cornish cultures. School exchanges are a regular feature, offering young people a chance to experience life in a different country and learn about its language and traditions.

Penzance Town Mayor Stephen Reynolds, who serves as the President of the Twinning Association, expressed his gratitude for the efforts of the association’s chair, Karen Bennett. “It’s been a huge pleasure working with her, and her fellow Committee members, as the twinning goes from strength to strength,” he said.

The twinning association continues to grow, nurturing the close ties between Penzance and Concarneau for future generations.

Photo: Cllr Stephen Reynolds, Penzance Town Mayor, addresses the crowd at the Liberation commemorative event in Concarneau. (Photo credit Peter Crumpler).