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Scotland's European friendships: A look ahead to 2026!
On October 26th, 2025, a meeting of European partner communities of Schotten took place in Roccella Jonica to strengthen cooperation.
Scotland's European friendships: A look ahead to 2026!
The annual meeting of the communities twinned with Scots took place this year in the picturesque coastal town of Roccella Jonica. In this charming setting, representatives of the twin towns of Arco, Beloeil, Bogen, Crosne, Rymarov and Roccella Jonica came together to discuss the current balance and future plans. Among the Scottish delegates were second chairman Gernot Schobert and assessor Hans Dieter Herget with his wife Inge, who received an exciting insight into the cultural customs of the region. fnp.de reports that ...
The meeting's accompanying program not only offered culinary delights, but also a look into the history and culture of Calabria. In particular, the chairman of the association from Roccella Jonica, Pietro Commisso, received positive feedback for his commitment. But the meeting was not just about celebrating, but also about looking back at the organizational and financial challenges of the sister tour in the summer, which Schotten chose as the central point of contact for foreign friends.
Plans for the future
A future-oriented outlook was also on the agenda. The people of Schotten are planning to host fewer of their own events next year, but some activities are already firmly planned. A group from Bogen will be visiting from April 24th to 26th, 2026. A sister tour is also in the pipeline from June 24th to 28th with ten participants in each partner city.
- Verschwisterungsfeier zwischen Crosne und Roccella Jonica: 7. bis 10. Mai 2026
- Schottener Delegation in Rymarov: 1. bis 4. Oktober 2026 zur Feier „30 Jahre Verschwisterung Schotten und Rymarov“
- Weihnachtsaktion mit dem Thema Schotten: 27. bis 30. November 2026
- Fußballturnier für Jahrgänge 2013-2016: 20./21. Juni 2026 in Tschechien
It is pleasing that Michele Maroni from Arco is planning sporting encounters for young people aged 14 to 20, which are planned for autumn 2026 or spring 2027. Yolande Depluvrez from Beloeil also brought up an interesting idea: a week's vacation in a youth hostel for grandparents and grandchildren. At the same time, Guy Jimenez from Crosne suggested offering family accommodation, which could benefit the community spirit of the sisterhood.
Town twinning as an important part of European integration
In the background of these meetings is the fundamental importance of town twinning for cohesion in Europe bmbf.de explains. Town twinning not only offers a framework for cultural exchange, but also an important contribution to European identity and solidarity. Professor Dr. Stephan Grohs from the German University of Administrative Sciences Speyer emphasizes that such partnerships offer the opportunity to break down prejudices and promote getting to know each other.
In times of global crises, such as the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, municipalities show themselves to be anchors of cohesion and make a significant contribution to the integration of immigrants. This responsibility is also taken seriously in Scotland, which is reflected in the planned student exchanges and more intensive activities with the partner municipalities.
It is to be hoped that the upcoming events in the coming years will not only strengthen the bond between the friends from different European cities, but also offer many citizens the chance to take part in this shared journey. A colorful mix of culture, sport and intergenerational activities could be the magic formula!