Thirty years of friendship, exchanges, and encounters unite Vigneux-sur-Seine and Limavady. This year marks the 30th anniversary of their twinning, a relationship initiated on September 7, 1996, with the signing of the charter in Limavady, followed by another signing on September 12, 1996, in Vigneux-sur-Seine. This bond remains vibrant, transcending borders thanks to the attachment of its residents.
Limavady, located in Northern Ireland within the county of Londonderry, was the very first town to twin with Vigneux-sur-Seine. Its name, derived from the Irish « the dog's leap », refers to a local legend. The town is also the birthplace of the « Londonderry Air », a traditional melody made world-famous as « Danny Boy ».
For three decades, athletes, musicians, dancers, schoolchildren, and associations from both towns have regularly visited each other, keeping this link alive through exchanges. Limavady is situated approximately 20 km east of Derry.
To mark this anniversary, Monique Baillot, Deputy Mayor of Vigneux-sur-Seine, traveled to Limavady. On behalf of the town and its residents, she presented Dawn Huggins, Mayor of the Causeway Coast and Glens district, with a commemorative trophy.
Schools in Limavady also joined the celebration with an art competition titled « A Tale of Two Towns », featuring posters and poems that illustrate the connection between the two cities. The festivities also included a photographic exhibition, a shop window contest, and a gala dinner.
