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Norfolk & Norwich Rouen Friendship Association
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The Association was set up in 1990 and its counterpart is the Rouen-Norwich-Club in Rouen. Both are part of the twinning that has existed between the two cities since 1959. The aims are to promote friendship and links with an emphasis on setting up reciprocal exchanges between groups and individuals with similar interests: sports groups, artists, archaeologists, clinicians, musicians and youth are just some successful examples.
Both associations arrange four-day visits in alternate years to the other city and many long-term friendships have developed. NNRFA's trips to Rouen have included visits to the stone quarries of Caen, Monet's garden at Giverny, Honfleur and a brewery with links to a brewhouse in Norfolk. Each visit includes opportunities to meet members of the other association. Why get involved? Many people visit France but twinning exchanges, whether between individuals or groups, offer new perspectives and a very different experience. Over 60 years Norwich and Rouen links have been built up on the enormous goodwill and enthusiasm of many people in both cities. If you're in a group that is interested in an exchange with a similar group in Rouen, let us know and we will try to find a contact for you. Or if you'd like to visit Rouen with us, why not join NNRFA? You can join here. On the gallery page you can see cuttings from the Eastern Daily Press showing the enthusiasm for twinning between the cities, especially during the 1950s, 60s and 70s when many visits and exchanges took place! Councillor Martin Schmierer, Lord Mayor of Norwich 2018/2019 writes: As a city, Norwich can be very proud of the links it has forged with Rouen, Koblenz, Novi Sad, and El Viejo in Nicaragua. At a time when, across the UK and indeed the world, we seem to be witnessing the rise of nationalism, we are blessed that we have something of an antidote - namely our twinning associations. The idea of sharing ideas and friendships between nations is as necessary now as it has ever been. Building bridges between countries to foster mutual understanding between peoples from different countries is of vital importance, especially given the current turmoil that Britain finds herself in. There is currently a plethora of discussions on Britain's future relationship with the rest of Europe. This debate will not end whether we leave the EU or not. Regardless of your views about this, I think we can all agree that creating a world that is at peace has to be a priority. The fundamental goals of the twinning associations, as far as I am concerned, are forging mutual understanding and promoting peace between peoples and countries. With all the dangerous rhetoric of nationalism and isolationism across the world, the need for twinning associations cannot be overstated - they are as needed now as they have ever been! |
