International Friendships

Town Twinning

Aberystwyth is fortunate to be twinned with five towns across the world: St Brieuc in Brittany; Kronberg im Taunus in Germany; Arklow in Ireland; Esquel in Patagonia, Argentina; Yosano in Japan.

Aberystwyth Town Council values these longstanding international relationships greatly and in 2022 increased staff capacity in order to support and develop them as well as extending an invitation to them all to the annual Inauguration of the Mayor.

Begun as school exchanges the friendships have withstood the test of time and offer opportunities for cultural exchanges as well as business opportunities.

The Kronberg and Esquel Twinning partnership groups are run locally by volunteers and anyone who is interested in twinning is welcome to join them.

St Brieuc (Sant Brieg)

1973: St Brieuc, on Brittany’s north coast, has a Brythonic Celtic language, a bilingual education system and like Aberystwyth has two rivers that converge at the town’s port. A delegation attended the 2023 Mayoral Inauguration.

Yosano

1984: Yosano, Japan, has longstanding close ties with Aberystwyth, thanks to Frank Evans, a former prisoner of war. Mostly based on school exchanges to date, the friendship with the Town Council was formally reaffirmed in 2023.

Kronberg im Taunus

1997: Kronberg im Taunus, Germany, has a castle, a museum, a vibrant arts community, galleries, and markets. Regular exchanges take place between the two towns with an Aberystwyth market stall taking pride of place in the annual Kronberg Christmas market.

Esquel

2009: Esquel, a university town in the foothills of the Andes, Patagonia, was established by Welsh settlers. It is still home to a community of Welsh language speakers.

Arklow

2016: Arklow, County Wicklow, Ireland. Friendships have developed primarily through the Celtic Challenge and other sporting events. A delegation attended the 2023 Mayoral Inauguration.