town twinning

[mjandrews96]

can anybody tell me when the above started  the reason for it and how do town villages etc arrange it

many thanks

[Octavius]

The practice of town twinning was developed in Europe after the Second World War as a way to bring European people into a closer understanding of each other and to promote cross-border projects of mutual benefit. While still more popular as a concept in Europe than elsewhere, the idea has now spread to other continents, leading to some very interesting pairings.

Within Europe, town twinning is now supported by the European Union. The support scheme was established in 1989. In 2003 an annual budget of about 12 million euros was allocated to about 1,300 projects. E.U. sister cities are a separate affiliaton from the international sister cities associations.

See here for additional info: twintown

[jno]

I see in the paper this morning Haworth, the Brontes' town, is to be twinned with Machu Picchu in Peru. Both big tourist destinations with dry-stone walling and steam trains, it said. Goodness knows which side will benefit more from the connection, but perhaps the Inca Trail will be extended to Yorkshire?

[Octavius]

Well I suppose if you were the leader of the town council it would be ideal to pick somewhere you have always wanted to go for a jolly!  And at EU expense, bargain!

[mjandrews96]

tks octavius this tells all i want to know   i think i'd like to twin my house with somebody in cyprus   anyway tks again