Largo area twinned with Villennes-sur-Seine in France
UNDER DEVELOPMENT
The Fife coastal village of Lower Largo enjoys a notable twining link with a small island community over 7,000 miles away in the South Pacific Ocean. The association, formed in 2004, results from the Fife village being the birthplace of Alexander Selkirk – a castaway on the then uninhabited island – who inspired Daniel Defoe’s fictitious character, Robinson Crusoe. The island in question, 400 miles off the coast of Chile, is known today as Robinson Crusoe Island (Isla Róbinson Crusoe, previously Isla Más a Tierra). Unfortunately, however, due to the distance involved, few exchange visits have taken place.
Although without a seafaring background, there is now a more active association of Lower Largo and the surrounding area (including Lundin Links, Upper Largo and New Gilston and Woodside) with a small community somewhat closer to home – the village of Villennes-sur-Seine, located in the Yvelines département of north-central France. In response to an approach from the Mayor of Villennes-sur-Seine, contacts were soon developed and, in September 2023, a formal twinning agreement was concluded between the two communities at a ceremony in the French village. Gifts were exchanged and the associated events included a performance by a French kilt-clad pipe band. The small delegation from Scotland included two children, in recognition of the aim of both parties to involve schools in future exchange programmes.
The text of the twinning agreement recalls the historic links between Scotland and France, expresses a resolve to develop strong links between the two communities and, through a programme of exchanges, to promote mutual understanding and cooperation, ensuring that these opportunities are available to all.
A reciprocal public event took place in Lower Largo in May 2024, when the Largo Area Community Council hosted a French delegation led by the Mayor of Villennes-sur-Seine. The visitors were formally welcomed at a civic reception in the presence of Fife parliamentary representatives. Other events held over the weekend included a musical performance by young people, a tree planting ceremony, a ceilidh and a festive parade through the village led by a local pipe band.
[Twinning festivities in Lower Largo]
Expectations are high for developing exchange programmes involving schools and sporting organisations in both communities.
If you have any additional information about this twinning link that you would like to share with us, please use the form available HERE.
English Wikipedia page for Villennes-sur-Seine
Villennes-sur-Seine coat of arms image © Spedona, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Twinning agreement image © Wendy Chamberlain
